Flour Prices Surge by Rs14 per Kilogram Amid Supply Disruptions in Karachi

KARACHI: Flour prices in Karachi have increased by an average of Rs14 per kilogram over the past three days, raising concerns among consumers and retailers alike. This price hike follows a brief reduction of Rs3 per kg in the last week of September, which did not translate into lower costs for consumers as retailers maintained their prices.

Retailers have reported running low on flour supplies after millers suspended deliveries in anticipation of the price increase. The new rates for flour No. 2.5, maida, and fine flour are now set at Rs155, Rs167, and Rs170 per kg, respectively. Retailers have accused millers of manipulating supply to create a price shock, with some types of chakki flour now reaching Rs210 per kg.

The rise in flour prices is attributed to an increase in the open market wheat rate, which has escalated from Rs125-130 per kg to Rs138 per kg. This fluctuation comes as the federal and provincial governments remain largely unresponsive, with the next wheat crop expected from Sindh and Punjab between March and May.

As consumers brace for further price volatility, stakeholders are calling for government intervention to stabilize the market. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in the agricultural supply chain and the need for timely responses to protect consumers from inflationary pressures.