Karachi Flour Prices Soar to Record Highs Amid Wheat Shortages

Flour and onion prices have surged in Karachi, Pakistan, putting pressure on consumers. The city's flour millers have raised prices of a 50 kilogram bag of flour No. 2.5, maida, and fine flour to Rs. 7,200, Rs. 7,600, and Rs. 7,750, respectively.

The increases range from Rs. 250 to Rs. 275 per bag, attributed to higher wheat prices in the open market. The latest prices are significantly higher than those recorded at the end of April, when the same 50 kilogram bags were available at Rs. 5,600, Rs. 5,800, and Rs. 6,000, respectively.

Higher flour costs have also pushed up prices at tandoors, with some operators charging Rs. 35 for naan compared to Rs. 30 previously. Prices of sheermal and taftaan have also increased to Rs. 110 from Rs. 100 per piece at some large tandoors.

According to Sensitive Price Index data, the national average price of a 20 kilogram flour bag ranged from Rs. 2,200 to Rs. 3,133, while a 10 kilogram wheat bag averaged Rs. 1,236 and fine flour cost Rs. 153 per kilogram.