Inflation in Pakistan is no longer just about exchange rate swings, policy missteps, or global oil prices. A new driver has emerged, one that farmers and consumers alike feel with every season; climate change.

The phenomenon now being described as ‘climateflation’ is steadily pushing food costs upward, making daily survival more expensive for families across the country.

Agriculture has always been Pakistan’s backbone, feeding both the economy and millions of households. Yet, this backbone is weakening. Wheat flour, rice, sugar, and other staples have all become pricier in the past year. The reasons are no mystery to those working in the fields. Rains arrive at the wrong time, flash floods sweep away crops, and sudden heatwaves burn orchards before they can bear fruit.

In Narowal, a rice farmer explained his ordeal. “We planted on time, applied fertilisers, and irrigated as recommended during our recent field visit in the recent flood-affected belt. However, when the floods arrived, half of our paddy crop was lost in just a week. The rest is barely standing. Prices in the market are soaring, but we have nothing left to sell.”

His words capture the helplessness many growers feel when nature turns against them.

The consequences are not confined to rural Pakistan. As harvests shrink, prices in city markets climb. In Lodhran and Multan, families interviewed during research surveys reported that they had begun skipping meals, switching to substitutes, or resorting to lower-quality alternatives to manage their monthly budgets.

These choices may alleviate the financial burden in the short term, but they compromise........

© Dawn Business