Karachi Notifies New Flour Prices

Flour prices in Karachi have climbed to Rs166 per kilogram, raising fears of a supply crisis in the city as the gap between official and market rates widens.

The Karachi commissioner has fixed the official retail price of regular flour at Rs125 per kilogram, fine flour at Rs135 per kilogram, and chakki flour at Rs145 per kilogram.

The notification also set the wholesale price of regular flour at Rs122 per kilogram and fine flour at Rs132 per kilogram.

However, flour millers and chakki owners have rejected the rates, saying they cannot sell flour at these prices because wheat costs have risen sharply.

They argue that the government-fixed rates do not cover production expenses.

In the market, regular flour is selling for Rs145 to Rs150 per kilogram, fine flour for Rs160 to Rs170 per kilogram, and chakki flour for around Rs160 per kilogram.

Flour Mills Association Chairman Mohammad Anis warned the Sindh Food Department that mills cannot buy wheat at current market prices and still sell flour at official rates.

He said wheat in the open market has reached Rs116 per kilogram and continues to fluctuate daily.

He added that the official pricing system only works when the government supplies subsidised wheat to mills.