Pakistan is anticipating a significant increase in food inflation in the coming months as devastating floods have severely impacted the agricultural sector, particularly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Initial estimates present a troubling outlook for consumers already facing economic difficulties.

Rising water levels have submerged vast areas of fertile land and displaced thousands of people, leading to expected shortages and price hikes for essential food items.

Head of research at Taurus Securities, Mustafa Mustansir warned, “Food prices are likely to rise in the coming months due to losses and disruptions caused by the floods.”

His assessment suggests that food inflation could accelerate starting in September, drawing parallels to price trends observed after the 2022 floods.

Certain fruits and vegetables have already experienced sharp price increases, reflecting the immediate impact of the ongoing crisis.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has reported 819 fatalities and over 8,658 homes damaged or destroyed.

The livestock sector has also been hit hard, with the loss of 6,138 animals.

KP has been particularly affected, suffering extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, powerhouses, and irrigation channels.