LAHORE:Household in the provincial capital are experiencing extreme financial pressure as flour prices have surged for the third time in just a week, resulting in a total increase of Rs440 for a 20-kg bag.
The open market has witnessed consistent hikes in wheat and flour prices over the past week, exacerbating the strain on kitchen budgets of ordinary masses already affected by inflation. Haji Muhammad Yousuf, President of the Lahore Atta Dealers Association, has confirmed the new retail prices.
In the open market, wheat prices have risen by Rs500 per maund, reaching Rs4,500. This represents a 12.5 percent increase from the previous price of Rs4,000. This increase has been directly reflected in retail flour prices. A 20-kg bag is now priced at Rs2,250, which is an increase of Rs150 from Rs2,100 just three days ago.
The 15-kg bag has increased by Rs100 to Rs1,750, while the 10-kg bag has jumped by Rs100 to Rs1,150. Other wheat byproducts are also reflecting the impact. An 80-kg bag of fine flour has risen by Rs500 to Rs10,000. Meanwhile, a 50-kg bag of semolina has gone up by Rs200 to Rs6,500.
Millers attribute the repeated hikes to supply pressure following provincial government’s failure in buying wheat coupled with relatively low production of grains. They also mentioned upward trend in prices of petroleum products as one of the reasons behind jump in wheat and flour rate revision.
With stocks tight and new crop procurement facing disputes, further increases remain likely unless supply improves or officials intervene.The surge follows a formal shift to an open price regime.
