KARACHI (Kashmir English): Flour prices have surged across the market, with flour mills increasing rates by up to Rs20 per kilogram amid rising wheat prices.
Wheat prices in the open market have reached Rs14,500 per 100 kilograms, putting further pressure on flour prices and household budgets.
In the wholesale market, regular flour is selling at Rs155 per kilogram, maida (fine flour) at Rs167, and fine-grade flour at Rs180. Retail prices have climbed to Rs170 per kilogram for regular flour, Rs200 for fine flour, and Rs210 for chakki(stone-ground) flour.
According to sources, flour mills withheld supplies for several days before announcing the price hike, resulting in shortages at retail shops. Although imported wheat is expected to arrive by November, prices in the open market remain high.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government has decided to release subsidized wheat to flour mills from October 15 in an effort to ease supply pressures.
The provincial government will provide wheat at Rs12,500 per 100 kilograms. Sindh currently holds official wheat reserves of 346,414 metric tons.
With the expected arrival of imported wheat, total stocks held by the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) and the provincial government are projected to reach 836,414 metric tons.
The impact of the subsidized wheat release on flour prices remains to be seen as consumers continue to face rising food costs.
