Zarai Khabrain Aaj: Khaad Ki 2 Lakh Ton Kami, Gandum Rs 5,640 Tak Aur Tamatar 35% Mehnga
Monday, 2 November 2026 | 19 Katak 2083 BK | By Zarat Ghar Desk
The government has admitted a fertilizer shortfall of more than 200,000 tonnes just as wheat sowing begins, with two urea plants shut because of gas supply problems. Wheat mandi rates in Punjab are spread widely, from about Rs 3,363 to Rs 5,640 per 40kg, cotton prices slipped again, and tomatoes jumped 35% in one week. Here is today’s agriculture news round-up.
| Aaj Ki Khaas Baatein • Fertilizer shortfall of over 200,000 tonnes; two urea plants temporarily closed (National Assembly). • AMIS (2 Nov): wheat Rs 3,363 – 5,640 per 40kg in Punjab mandis, average about Rs 4,551. • Punjab says it has 1 million tonnes of wheat, enough for five months; sowing window 1–20 November. • KCA spot rate down Rs 200 to Rs 17,800 per maund; phutti Rs 7,000 – 9,000. • SPI down 0.35% in the week, but tomatoes +34.9%; atta Rs 2,951 per 20kg. • Sindh Abadgar Board asks for sugarcane crushing date and price notification. |
Khaad Ki Kami: 2 Lakh Ton Se Zyada Shortfall
Parliamentary Secretary Shaista Khan told the National Assembly that the country faces a fertilizer shortfall of more than 200,000 tonnes against demand. She linked it to the Middle East situation, which has disrupted gas supply and left two urea plants temporarily closed. About half of the country’s fertilizer needs are met through imports, and prices have risen. The timing is difficult for farmers because urea and DAP demand peaks during wheat sowing in November.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the average retail price in the week ended 29 October 2026 was about Rs 4,781 per bag for Sona urea and Rs 17,153 per bag for DAP. See the latest fertilizer price, urea price and DAP price.
Gandum: Punjab Mandiyon Mein Rs 3,363 Se Rs 5,640 Tak
Official AMIS Punjab data for 2 November 2026 shows a wide gap between mandis. Rawalpindi is the most expensive at about Rs 5,640 per 40kg and Faisalabad at Rs 5,150, while Rahim Yar Khan (Rs 3,363), Toba Tek Singh (Rs 3,600) and Bahawalpur (Rs 3,820) are the cheapest. The average of the Punjab mandis that reported is about Rs 4,551 per 40kg, close to the government’s Rs 4,500 indicative price for the 2027 crop.
In the Punjab Assembly, Food Minister Salma Butt said the province holds over 1 million tonnes of wheat, enough for five months, and that more than 1.5 million bags of wheat reach Punjab markets every day. The government has also cancelled the licences of 90 of 185 private markets after fraud complaints. The agriculture department has advised farmers in irrigated areas to finish wheat sowing between 1 and 20 November, using 40–45 kg of certified seed per acre. Check today’s wheat price in Pakistan, wheat rate in Punjab and all mandi rates today.
Cotton Market: Spot Rate Rs 200 Kam, Rs 17,800
The Karachi Cotton Association’s spot rate fell by Rs 200 to Rs 17,800 per maund in the latest weekly review. Phutti traded at Rs 7,000 – 9,000 per 40kg in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan, depending on quality, while lint cotton was Rs 16,000 – 18,000 per maund in Sindh and Punjab and Rs 18,700 – 19,000 for Balochi cotton. The FBR has told spinning units to install surveillance cameras by 15 November 2026, and industry voices are proposing a minimum support price of Rs 10,000 per 40kg of phutti to revive cotton. See the full cotton rate in Pakistan.
Mehngai Report: Tamatar 35% Mehnga, Atta Thora Sasta
The weekly Sensitive Price Indicator fell 0.35% in the week ended 29 October 2026, but is still 11.32% higher than a year ago. Tomatoes rose almost 35% and potatoes 3.3%, while chicken, eggs and flour became slightly cheaper.
| Item (PBS national average) | 29 Oct 2026 | Change in week |
|---|---|---|
| Atta 20kg bag | Rs 2,951 | -0.83% |
| Sugar (1kg) | Rs 141.12 | -0.35% |
| Tomato (1kg) | Rs 125.70 | +34.91% |
| Onion (1kg) | Rs 189.74 | +0.62% |
| Potato (1kg) | Rs 51.09 | +3.27% |
| Gram pulse (1kg) | Rs 303.77 | +2.11% |
In Lahore, the official rate list for 31 October puts Grade A tomatoes at Rs 160 – 170 per kg and onions at Rs 185 – 195 per kg.
Ganna: Crushing Aur Qeemat Ke Notification Ka Mutalba
The Sindh Abadgar Board has written to Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah asking the province to resume issuing notifications for the start of the sugarcane crushing season and the cane purchase price under the Sugar Factories Control Act, 1950. The board says no notices were issued in 2025, so mills started crushing in December instead of October, and many small growers are now planting wheat instead. In the Punjab Assembly, members also called for an early start to crushing so that wheat sowing is not delayed. See the latest sugarcane price.
State Bank Ne Sharah Sood 12% Kar Di
The State Bank of Pakistan raised its policy rate by 50 basis points to 12%, its first increase since June. It said higher energy prices and rising wheat and food prices pushed inflation to 10.3% in September, and named further wheat price increases and bad weather as risks. Costlier credit can raise the cost of crop loans and input financing for farmers.
Sources
- Express Tribune – Country faces over 200,000 tons of fertiliser shortfall (1 Nov 2026)
- AMIS Punjab – Wheat prices by mandi (2 Nov 2026)
- Dawn – Punjab govt has 1m tonnes of wheat for five months (29 Oct 2026)
- APP – Farmers advised to complete wheat cultivation by November 20 (26 Oct 2026)
- Business Recorder – Weekly cotton review (2 Nov 2026)
- PBS – SPI for the week ended 29 October 2026
- The Nation – SAB urges Sindh CM to resume sugarcane notifications (27 Oct 2026)
- Geo News – SBP raises policy rate by 50bps to 12% (26 Oct 2026)
- District Lahore – Official vegetables rate list
