<article><p class="lead">The Pakistani government has agreed to waive all taxes, levies and duties on some 180,000t of Russian wheat bought by the public sector. </p><p>Lower-than-expected domestic wheat production this year has forced Pakistan to support accelerated imports to ensure food security. </p><p>The country's wheat imports in 2020-21 are poised to be their highest in 11 years as a result, at over 2mn t.</p><p>This year's low domestic production reflects locust infestations and the impact of Covid-19. </p><p>State-run grains agency TCP is tendering to import 1.2mn t of wheat, and today <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2145138">closed a tender</a> for around 300,000t. </p><p>Pakistan's private-sector buyers have already imported around 430,000t of wheat this year, and are expected to receive a further 1.1mn t by the end of December. </p><p class="bylines">By Andrew Kanyemba</p></article>
