HYDERABAD, May 26: Despite the decision of Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) to put a stop to export of wheat to prevent its shortage and keep prices stable in the country the grain’s price continues to spiral in the open market.

The price of a 100-kilogramme wheat bag has jumped to Rs1,160-Rs1,190 as of Saturday from its previous Rs1,100 in the open market. A food department official, though, insisted the price of 100kg bag ranged between Rs1,140 and Rs1,150, a fact which required the government to announce ex-godowns price of wheat for flourmills and roller mills owners.

The data gathered by Dawn on Friday revealed that Hyderabad food department could procure only 12,000 tons of wheat as against its target of 20,000 tons, which was stocked up in its godowns in Hala, Tando Allahyar, Tando Mohammad and Bhaley Dino Kaka. The rate of wheat was fixed at Rs425 per 40 kg.

Hyderabad District Food Controller (DFC) Abdul Malik Abbasi refused to accept responsibility for failure to meet the target and put the blame on procurement of wheat in the district by other districts including Thatta, Karachi and Badin.

He said that monthly wheat consumption of 230 flourmills of the district came around 125,000 bags and roller mills 150,000 bags. The department had around 0.5 million wheat bags available in its five godowns and in case of emergency it could procure more wheat from Naushahro Feroze, Nawabshah, Sanghar and Dadu.

Atta Chakki Owners Association President Haji Mohammad Nawab believed that the reason behind spiraling prices of wheat and flour in the market was the fact that exporters continued to buy wheat from traders despite ban on its export.

The government had not yet announced ex-godowns price for wheat for flourmills and roller mills and Hyderabad’s deputy director of food Abdul Majeed claimed that the authority to issue such a notification rested with the federal government.

Given the fact that the country has received heavy rains and there is more than enough water for everybody growers had good reason to expect that the production this year will exceed consumption.