Bread Prices Soar in Pakistan Amid Flour Price Instability

Karachi's bakers have raised their prices for the second time this year, citing increased costs of power, gas, raw materials, and transportation. Bread now costs between Rs140 to Rs270, while bran bread is priced at Rs200. The price hike comes after a three-year gap, with manufacturers attributing the increase to escalating expenses.

The national average price of flour has also seen a significant jump, with 20kg bags costing between Rs2,200-3,200 and 10kg wheat bags reaching Rs1,250. Fineflour prices have risen to Rs155 per kilogram from Rs137. The government's failure to import one million tonnes of grain on time is being blamed for the price instability.

Traders and retailers claim that the government has not taken sufficient measures to control the rising flour prices. They point out that wheat prices in the open market have been soaring, contributing to the volatility in the market. The Trading Corporation of Pakistan has invited bids to import 750,000 tonnes of wheat to address the grain shortage.