Flour prices rise by Rs20 per kg in Karachi

KARACHI: Flour prices have increased by Rs20 per kilogram in Karachi after mills raised rates amid a rise in wheat prices in the open market.

Regular flour is now being sold at Rs170 per kilogram at retail, while fine flour costs Rs200 and chakki flour Rs210. In the wholesale market, regular flour is priced at Rs155, maida at Rs167 and fine flour at Rs180 per kilogram.

Sources said flour mills had suspended supplies for several days before increasing prices, leading to shortages at retail shops. Wheat prices in the open market have climbed to Rs14,500 per 100kg, while imported wheat is expected to arrive by November.

Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed the Food Department to release government-held wheat to flour mills from October 1 to improve market supplies and help control prices.

Officials said 226,918 metric tonnes of wheat had been seized and reconciled across Sindh. Of this, 144,431 MT is currently available for lifting after 25,365 MT remained under litigation.

The chief minister directed deputy commissioners and food authorities to speed up transportation of the remaining wheat and ensure all legally available stocks are brought into government custody for release into the market.