However, the Finance Ministry has not shared the decision with the media. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), in a letter to the Custom Collector in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar directed that they ensure un-hindered and smooth export of wheat. The concerned Collectors have been directed to effectively co-ordinate on daily basis, personally as well as electronically, and ensure that the export of wheat from Pakistan (combined together from all export stations) does not exceed 3 million tons in any case.
According to official documents, Food Department of Punjab and Sindh had contracted for export of 2,400,000 and 300,000 tons wheat, respectively, out of which 492,000 and 309,000 tons wheat had been lifted from godowns as on March 4, 2011. The sources said Minfa apprised ECC that wheat stocks were being picked up by local traders and exported. The food departments of Punjab and Sindh were selling their wheat to traders at the issue prices of Rs 1,000 per 40-kg and Rs 975 per 40 kg, respectively. It was further stated that subsidy was being picked up by respective provincial governments.
In light of ECC decision taken in its meeting on January 13, 2011, Minfa made a presentation before the ECC on wheat crop size and production, year-wise production, its annual requirement, year-wise procurement (2005-2010), support prices from 2000-2011, prices including incidental charges for 2010, local and international price comparison, anticipated disposal of wheat stock 2010-2011, wheat available for export, value of stocks in hand, disposal of wheat by Punjab and Sindh, stock position, and anticipated closing stock purchasing from 2010-11.
It was also revealed that wheat production size in 2008-09 and 2009-10 was 24.03 million tons and 23.30 million tons respectively, and public sector procured 9.2 million and 6.7 million tons respectively. According to Minfa, it has been estimated that during the year 2010-11 its production will be more than 24.000 million tons. The total annual requirement of the country with a population of 175 million at the rate of 124 per kg per person comes to 24.06 million tons including 0.50 million tons for Afghanistan and seed/feed/wastage at the rate of 8%.
This information was gathered from International Grain Council (IGC). Financial Year 2010-11 opened with a stock of 10.250 million tons. Stock position as on March 4, 2011 was 4.975 million tons out of which 1.50 million tons will presumably be released to flour mills by March 30, 2011. It is estimated that an additional 0.475 million tons will be exported till the close of the year, leaving a closing balance of 3.0 million tons of wheat with the public sector.