Severe floods disrupt Pakistan’s food supply chain

Floods sweeping through Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have hit Pakistan’s food supply chain hard, driving up vegetable prices across major cities, including Karachi, according to local media.

In Karachi’s markets, prices of green vegetables have already jumped by 30% and could climb higher as farmlands and transport routes remain under water. Around 70–80% of Karachi’s supply usually comes from Punjab, which has suffered the worst damage. Wholesale traders say supplies have fallen by up to half, with tomatoes and onions also stuck on damaged roads from Balochistan.

Business leaders warn that if floodwaters spread to Sindh, the situation in Karachi could become critical, since only 10% of the city’s needs are met by local farms.

To ease shortages, industry groups are urging the government to remove the 15% duty on vegetable imports from Afghanistan and to allow faster imports of wheat and rice through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan or private buyers. They argue that urgent action is needed to prevent a food crisis.

Pakistan’s overall inflation eased to 3% in August 2025, but analysts caution that food prices could soon reverse this trend if supplies are not stabilised quickly.

source: brecorder.com

photo: deccanherald.com