This document discusses opportunities for harmonizing wheat flour fortification standards between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Kazakhstan. It notes that increasing consumer demand through a coordinated marketing strategy could help industrial partners recoup investment costs for fortification. However, challenges include a lack of mandatory fortification laws, non-harmonized standards between countries, price controls, and border difficulties. Potential solutions proposed are establishing regular cross-border meetings between traders, harmonizing flour quality standards, and facilitating regional trade development with the help of organizations like USAID/GAIN.

1. BY
Technical Advisor
Pakistan Flour Mills Association –
Tariq Sarwar Awan,
Food Technologist & Fortification Expert
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Regional Fortification Harmony
among Pakistan- Afghanistan-
Kazakhstan

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4.  Population, per capita GDP and per capita wheat
consumption in Pakistan, 1997 to 2016
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9.  Increasing consumer demand is priority of
industrial partners, as this is the only way to
increase sales and achieve economies of scale in
recuperating the initial investment costs for
fortification without having to pass a significant
price increase to consumers.
 Increasing consumer demand requires a
harmonized marketing strategy on the part of
food producers regionally. Industrial partners
must be encouraged to see fortification as key
opportunity to improve marketing and sales as a
promotion of quality and standard of excellence
in WHO-consistent fortified foods.
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10. Govt. Controlled Wheat/Wheat Flour Price.
High Micro feeder Price.
High Premix Cost (although got exemption
but still difficult to pass the price of
fortificants due to the controlled prices
wheat/wheat flour) .
Higher Price for Fortified Flour
No-Mandatory Fortification legislation
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11. No Harmonization of standards
Different Wheat Flour Qualities
Competitive Wheat Prices in Exporting
Countries
Border Difficulties
Limited Shelf Life
Competition between exporters
Seasonal restrictions
Difference in extraction rates
 High Extraction flour for Afghanistan at 83:17
 Low extraction inside Pakistan 16:24: 60.
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12. Government Authorities – for standards
harmonization.
Development of formal mechanism for
regular contact between the traders on both
sides of the border
USAID/GAIN can play “facilitator” role
between countries as bridge.
Pakistan Govt. should continue subsidy to
match international rates throughout the
Year.
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13. Afghan Govt. should facilitate at borders
for ensuring the entry of fortified flour
Harmonization of Same Quality Fortified
Flour by Kazak and Pakistani millers –
Central Asian Regional Governments.
Regular Cross Border Meetings Quarterly
Importers and Exporters Directory by
USAID/GAIN.
USAID/GAIN as facilitation partner for
regional trade development.
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15.  Both Exporters to Afghanistan have different borders
and different Business regions.
 Fortification should be made mandatory for both
exporters.
 We are furnishing all our Pakistan Flour Milling industry
with Micro feeders to prepare us for fortification in all
1550 flour mills all over Pakistan.
 Join Business plans are recommended in all three
countries, and harmonization of standards are
recommended.
 Joint training sessions and quarterly meeting of
stakeholders with the Collaboration of Gain.
 Decisions should be made at high profile joint business
forum, and decisions should be followed by TRICA.
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