Pakistani Flour Prices Continue to Rise as Government Delays Import Tender

Flour prices in Pakistan have continued to rise as the federal government has yet to issue an import tender for one million tonnes of wheat. According to the Sensitive Price Index data, the prices of 20 kg wheat flour, 10 kg wheat bag, and one kg fine flour have increased by 0.52% in Karachi. The average prices of a 20 kg flour bag, 10 kg wheat, and 1 kg fine flour for the week ending August 6 were Rs2,200-3,133, Rs1,235, and Rs153, respectively.

The Sindh Cabinet has approved the import of 500,000 tonnes of wheat through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan. Punjab plans to import one million tonnes followed by 200,000 tonnes by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 57,500 tonnes by Balochistan. The government needs to expedite its efforts to curb wheat hoarding by vested interests and speculators who have already plunged into the commodity business.

Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association (KWGA) Chairman Rauf Ibrahim said that the government is taking too long to issue a tender for wheat imports, as it will take a few months for imported wheat to reach Pakistan, while the new wheat crops will arrive in March-May 2027.