ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (APP):Balochistan is projected to produce 4,100 tonnes, or nearly 79 per cent, of Pakistan’s total mash crop of 5,190 tonnes in 2026-27, maintaining its position as the country’s leading producer despite a slight decline in output, according to official estimates released by the federal government on Wednesday. The provincial estimates show that Balochistan will cultivate mash over 4,800 hectares, accounting for 75pc of the national area of …
Balochistan to produce 79% of Pakistan’s mash crop in 2026-27
ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (APP):Balochistan is projected to produce 4,100 tonnes, or nearly 79 per cent, of Pakistan’s total mash crop of 5,190 tonnes in 2026-27, maintaining its position as the country’s leading producer despite a slight decline in output, according to official estimates released by the federal government on Wednesday.
The provincial estimates show that Balochistan will cultivate mash over 4,800 hectares, accounting for 75pc of the national area of 6,400 hectares during the upcoming Kharif season.
Its cultivated area is expected to increase by 3.7% from 4,630 hectares in 2025-26, while production is projected to fall by 2.8% from 4,220 tonnes.
Despite the decline, Balochistan’s average yield is estimated at 854 kilograms per hectare, down from 911kg in the previous year but still above the national average of 810kg.
Sindh is also expected to record growth in mash cultivation and production, with its area projected to increase by 27.3% and output by 23.1%.
The province is estimated to cultivate the crop over 30 hectares and produce around 20 tonnes in 2026-27. Its average yield, however, is expected to decline to 571kg per hectare from 590kg.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is projected to produce around 790 tonnes of mash, slightly below the 800 tonnes recorded in 2025-26. Its average yield is estimated at 906kg per hectare, the highest among the four provinces.
Punjab, meanwhile, is expected to witness the sharpest decline in mash production. Its output is projected to plunge by 52.5% to 280 tonnes from 590 tonnes in the previous year.
The area under cultivation is also expected to shrink to 700 hectares from 1,300 hectares, while average yield is forecast to fall to 400kg per hectare from 453kg.
At the national level, mash production is projected to decline by 7.7% to 5,190 tonnes in 2026-27 from 5,620 tonnes in the preceding crop year.
The area under cultivation is expected to contract to 6,400 hectares from 6,840 hectares, while average yield is forecast to decrease by 1.5pc to 810kg per hectare from 822kg.
The estimates point to a growing concentration of mash production in Balochistan, even as declining output in Punjab and modest reductions in other major producing areas weigh on the country’s overall harvest.
