Pakistan's Sugarcane and Wheat Price Fixation: A Perennial Dilemma for Farmers

The price fixation of two major crops, sugarcane and wheat, has become a perennial dilemma for farmers in Pakistan. The Sindh Abadgar Board and Sindh Abadgar Ittehad have demanded that the government fix the wheat support price at Rs4,500-Rs5,000 per 40kg and sugarcane at Rs500-Rs600 per 40kg for the FY27 season to meet their cost of production.

Last year's experience with the wheat crop has left growers worried. The Sindh government decided to procure 1m tonnes of wheat in FY26 at a support price of Rs3,500 per 40kg, but failed to meet the procurement target. This year, the minister promised a 'best of the best' support price, arguing that last year's rate was inadequate and prompted farmers to sell their harvest in the open market for better returns.

The government has not notified a sugarcane rate for the last two years, raising questions about its intended deregulation policy. Cash-rich middlemen continue to manipulate prices, much to farmers' chagrin. Sindh Chamber of Agriculture senior vice president Nabi Bux Sathio said that farmers are told privately that the government will not fix the sugarcane price in FY27.