KARACHI, Dec 20: Sindh Minister for Food and Agriculture Arif Mustafa Jatoi said on Monday that wheat stock has surpassed 300,000 tons as its prices declined by Rs100 to Rs1200 per ton.

In a statement, the minister pointed out that with an additional arrival of almost 100,000 tons was in the pipeline from PASSCO and through TCP's imports. While reviewing the wheat and atta (flour) situation in the province at his office, he said that the price of open market wheat has started coming down.

The minister expressed the hope that with this additional wheat arrival in January 2005, wheat prices would further decline until the arrival of new crop in March 2005.

Jatoi pointed out that wheat sowing in the province has already crossed 83 percent of the target of 880,000 hectares, as compared to 851,000 hectares during the same period last year.

Reviewing the sugar crushing season, the minister observed that all mills are functioning and receiving cane from farmers. The Minister stated that all flour mills were also selling atta through their stalls and mills and Utility Stores Corporation had also been given additional wheat to supply atta at Rs118 per 10 kg which was readily available. -APP