LAHORE, Aug 16 (APP):Convener of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Committee on Food, Shahid Imran, on Sunday urged for immediate measures to address rising food inflation, warning that external economic shocks could impact food security and place an additional burden on households. Talking to a delegation of traders, he stated that the State Bank of Pakistan’s alerts regarding potential increases in domestic food prices …
FPCCI official stresses need for measures to combat food inflation
LAHORE, Aug 16 (APP):Convener of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Committee on Food, Shahid Imran, on Sunday urged for immediate measures to address rising food inflation, warning that external economic shocks could impact food security and place an additional burden on households.
Talking to a delegation of traders, he stated that the State Bank of Pakistan’s alerts regarding potential increases in domestic food prices require attention, as current inflationary trends are being driven by global factors, including elevated energy, fertilizer and freight costs.
He noted that food inflation has significant implications for poverty and nutrition. Meanwhile he highlighted that smallholder farmers remain particularly vulnerable due to limited capacity to absorb sudden surges in input costs, such as fuel and transportation. He added that a poor harvest or sharp rise in input prices could lead to increased financial strain on farmers, a situation further complicated by climate variability.
Discussing global trends, he observed that regional conflicts and supply chain disruptions have contributed to higher global energy and fertilizer prices, which in turn affect local cultivation and distribution costs, ultimately influencing retail prices for consumers.
Regarding long-standing structural challenges, he pointed to the need for modernizing the agriculture sector to enhance productivity. He emphasised the importance of addressing inefficiencies in the irrigation system, improving water storage, and reducing reliance on water-intensive crops to better manage the requirements of a growing population.
