Flour Price Hike in Karachi: Rs 13 Per Kg Increase in Just 15 Days

The flour price in Karachi has increased significantly after a sharp rise in wheat prices, with the cost of 2.5 number flour climbing by Rs 13 per kilogram over the past two weeks.

This rise in flour prices is directly related to the sustained rise of wheat prices in Pakistan,” says Junaid Aziz, Chairman, Flour Mills Association. The price of 2.5 number flour has risen from Rs 119 per kg to Rs 132 per kg in the span of 15 days, he said.

In the meanwhile, the price of fine flour has now gone beyond Rs 140 per kg in the city of Karachi, which has added to the load of the households suffering from the rising food inflation.

Wheat Prices Drive Flour Rate Increase

Price of wheat has climbed from Rs 106 per kg to Rs 118 per kg and mills have had to adjust their prices, said Junaid Aziz.

The increase in wheat prices is the main reason for the latest increase in flour prices, he added, and there was a risk that prices would rise again if wheat shortages were not resolved in time.

Flour Mills Association Urges Government to Import Wheat

The Flour Mills Association has called on the government to take a quick decision on wheat imports to keep prices under check.

Junaid Aziz said Pakistan’s requirement is to import at least three to four million tons of wheat. He stated that the delay in the import decision will only give an opportunity to the wheat hoarders to increase the prices further.

“The sooner the government decides to import wheat, the greater the relief for consumers,” he said, adding that unnecessary delays could worsen the situation in the local market.

Balanced Wheat Import Needed to Protect Farmers

Meanwhile, Aziz said that although wheat imports should be supported, it must be pruned carefully according to the country’s actual needs so as not to harm the local farmers.

Overexports may pose problems for growers by reducing domestic wheat prices at harvest, he said.

Karachi’s Monthly Flour Consumption

The Flour Mills Association also shared details regarding the consumption showing that in summer, Karachi is consuming 2 million to 2.2 million flour sacks per month and during winter the demand is increasing up to 2.6 million sacks per month.

The inflation on the prices of wheat and consequently on the prices of essential foodstuffs is likely to impose additional burden on consumers in Karachi as the prices have been further pushed up.