Flour prices raised by Rs14 per kg

According to Dawn, Karachi millers pushed up rates on several flour grades, averaging Rs14 per kg, over the last three days. The increase came after a Rs3 per kg cut in late September that never reached consumers, since retailers kept their rates unchanged. Some shopkeepers said supplies ran short after millers paused deliveries for several days.

Under the new millers' rates, flour No. 2.5 is Rs155 per kg, maida Rs167 and fine flour Rs170. Retail prices are higher still, with flour No. 2.5 at Rs180, fine flour at Rs200 and chakki flour at Rs210 per kg, while a five-kg bag of branded fine flour now costs Rs1,000-1,010, up from Rs950. A miller attributed the pressure to wheat, which has moved from Rs125-130 to Rs138 per kg in the open market.

Roti makers have also raised prices, with naan up Rs5 to Rs30-35 per piece and good-quality chapati now at Rs20 each. Dawn reported that officials at federal and provincial levels have not reacted strongly, while new Sindh and Punjab crops are due between March and May. A miller said imported wheat is due this month or in November, but he denied that imports are behind the recent wheat price increase.