Wheat Price Decreases in Karachi
KARACHI: The wheat market in Karachi witnessed a decline of Rs 8 per kilogram on Friday, giving hope for relief in the food sector. However, despite the reduction, flour prices in Karachi have not shown any decrease and remain a major concern for consumers.
Flour Prices Still Unchanged
Currently, flour is being sold at high rates in the city. Regular flour is priced at Rs 92 per kg, flour from mills is available at Rs 140 per kg, while 2.5 number flour is being sold at Rs 110 per kg. Fine flour remains at Rs 120 per kg, showing no relief for households despite falling wheat costs.
WGA Chairman Urges Sindh Government
Chairman of the Wholesale Grocers Association (WGA), Abdul Rauf, stated that the price adjustment in Punjab has directly affected wheat prices in Sindh. He urged Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah to ensure immediate reduction in flour prices across the province.
He emphasized that if the Sindh government releases its wheat stock earlier, it will not only bring down the flour rates but also discourage hoarding. Abdul Rauf also demanded the government to issue last year’s procurement to stabilize the market.
Flour Prices Across Pakistan
According to the federal statistics department, the price of a 20 kg flour sack varies across cities:
- Peshawar and Bannu – Rs 2500 (highest in the country)
- Islamabad – Rs 2427
- Rawalpindi – Rs 2400
- Gujranwala and Sialkot – Rs 2267
- Lahore – Rs 2230
- Faisalabad and Sargodha – Rs 2200
- Multan – Rs 2294
- Bahawalpur – Rs 2334
- Karachi and Hyderabad – Rs 2400
- Sukkur – Rs 2240
- Larkana – Rs 2300
- Quetta – Rs 2300
- Khuzdar – Rs 2200
Consumer Woes Continue
The figures show that Karachi, Hyderabad, and Peshawar remain among the cities with the most expensive flour in Pakistan, raising concerns for the common man.
Market experts believe that unless the Sindh government intervenes with timely wheat releases, flour prices in Karachi and other cities are unlikely to decrease, despite the fall in wheat rates.
