Wheat Support Price 2026-27: Punjab Proposes Rs 4,200, Sindh Rs 5,000
Wheat Support Price 2026-27: Punjab Proposes Rs 4,200, Sindh Rs 5,000 — Final Decision Pending
Wheat sowing season is about to begin, but Punjab’s farmers still do not know what price they will get for their crop. The federal government has asked all provinces for their recommendations on the wheat support price for the 2026-27 Rabi season. Punjab has proposed Rs 4,200 per maund (40kg), while Sindh has proposed Rs 5,000. The final decision is still pending — and farmers are running out of time.
This article breaks down what each province has proposed, what farmers are demanding, how this compares to last season and the open market, and what it all means for the sowing season starting November 1.
Important: No final wheat support price has been announced yet. Everything below is based on proposals, recommendations and demands — not a notified price.
Table of Contents
- Quick Facts
- What Each Province Has Proposed
- What Farmers Are Demanding
- Last Season vs Now: Price Comparison
- The Imported Wheat Question
- Why the Timing Matters
- What Happens Next
- FAQs
Quick Facts
| Punjab’s proposal | Rs 4,200 per maund (40kg) |
| Sindh’s proposal | Rs 5,000 per maund (40kg) |
| Farmers’ demand | Rs 5,000 per maund (Pakistan Kissan Ittehad) |
| NA Committee recommendation | Minimum Rs 5,000 per 40kg + uniform subsidy |
| Last season’s price | Rs 3,500 per maund |
| Open market (early Oct) | ~Rs 5,437 per maund |
| Sowing starts | 1 November |
| Final decision | NOT announced yet |
What Each Province Has Proposed
The federal government invited recommendations from the provinces on the wheat support price. Here is where each province stands:
Punjab: Rs 4,200 per maund
Punjab has recommended a support price of Rs 4,200 per 40kg. Earlier reports suggested the province was considering Rs 4,300, but the formal proposal sent to the federal government is Rs 4,200. Sources in the Agriculture Department indicated the rate could be announced in October, before sowing begins, to give farmers price certainty.
Sindh: Rs 5,000 per maund
Sindh has proposed a significantly higher rate of Rs 5,000 per maund — Rs 800 more than Punjab’s proposal. This reflects the higher cost concerns raised by Sindh’s farming community.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: No proposal
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa told the federal government that it purchases wheat from Punjab, and did not submit its own price proposal.
National Assembly Standing Committee: Rs 5,000 minimum
The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research has recommended setting the minimum wheat support price at Rs 5,000 per 40kg or above for the 2026-27 Rabi season, along with a uniform subsidy mechanism for farmers across the country.
What Farmers Are Demanding
Pakistan Kissan Ittehad president Khalid Khokhar demanded a support price of Rs 5,000 per 40kg at a press conference in Lahore on September 22. His key arguments:
- The demand is Rs 1,500 more than last season’s Rs 3,500 — about 43% higher
- DAP fertiliser use has fallen from 2.39 million to 1.25 million tonnes because farmers are not recovering costs
- Farmers may not sow wheat at all if the price policy comes late
- A price announced in December helps nobody who had to decide in October
Other farmer leaders at the press conference echoed the same message: the government must decide before sowing, not after.
Last Season vs Now: Price Comparison
| Indicator | Price per maund (40kg) |
| Last season official price (2025-26) | Rs 3,500 |
| Punjab proposal (2026-27) | Rs 4,200 |
| Sindh proposal (2026-27) | Rs 5,000 |
| Farmers’ demand | Rs 5,000 |
| Open market (week to 8 Oct 2026) | ~Rs 5,437 |
| Imported wheat (landed cost) | ~Rs 5,000 |
The open market price has already crossed Rs 5,400 per maund — well above Punjab’s proposed Rs 4,200. This gap is exactly why farmers and the NA committee are pushing for Rs 5,000.
The Imported Wheat Question
One of the most controversial aspects of the debate is the price of imported wheat. Sources say imported wheat was procured at around $345 per tonne, with transportation and other expenses pushing its effective cost to nearly Rs 5,000 per maund.
Farmers have questioned the disparity: imported wheat is being purchased at Rs 5,000 per maund, while local wheat was previously purchased at around Rs 3,500. They also point out that local wheat contains around 25% gluten compared to approximately 23% in imported wheat — arguing local grain is better quality at a lower price.
The Trading Corporation of Pakistan has already secured 365,000 tonnes in its first import tender at $348.83 per tonne. A second tender attracted bids starting at $339.36 per tonne. Earlier, three provinces had sought procurement of around 750,000 tonnes of wheat.
Why the Timing Matters
Wheat sowing in Punjab opens on 1 November. Farmers need to buy seed and fertiliser now. Without knowing the support price, they cannot calculate whether wheat cultivation will be profitable this season.
As the Kissan Ittehad warned: a price announced in December helps nobody who had to make the sowing decision in October. If the announcement comes too late, some farmers may reduce their wheat area or skip sowing entirely — which would affect next year’s flour supply and prices.
What Happens Next
- Federal decision: The federal government will review provincial proposals and the NA committee’s recommendation, then announce a final support price.
- Subsidy question: The government must also decide whether to subsidise the higher wheat cost or pass it on to consumers through flour prices.
- Sowing season: Wheat sowing begins November 1 regardless — farmers will decide based on whatever information is available.
- Watch this space: We will update this article when the final price is officially announced.
FAQs
What is the wheat support price for 2026-27?
No final wheat support price has been announced yet. Punjab has proposed Rs 4,200 per maund, Sindh has proposed Rs 5,000, and the NA Standing Committee has recommended a minimum of Rs 5,000. The federal government’s final decision is pending.
When will the final wheat price be announced?
There is no confirmed date. Sources suggested October — before the November 1 sowing season — but no official announcement has been made. Farmers are urging the government to decide before sowing, not after.
What was last season’s wheat price?
Last season (2025-26), the official figure was Rs 3,500 per maund. However, this was not a classic government support price — Punjab moved to a private aggregator procurement model instead of direct government purchasing.
Why are farmers demanding Rs 5,000?
Farmers argue their costs have risen sharply — DAP fertiliser use has dropped because they cannot recover costs. The open market price (~Rs 5,437) and imported wheat cost (~Rs 5,000) both support a higher price. The Kissan Ittehad says Rs 5,000 is the minimum viable price.
Will a higher support price make flour more expensive?
Possibly. The government must decide whether to absorb the higher wheat cost through subsidy or pass it to consumers. This is one reason the final decision is taking time — it directly affects flour prices for the public.
Disclaimer: Prime Updates is not affiliated with the Ministry of National Food Security, the Punjab Agriculture Department, or any government body. Wheat prices mentioned are proposals and demands, not notified rates. This article will be updated when the official price is announced.
