Retail price of fine flour increased by Rs10

Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani issues notification on new Roti prices

KARACHI: Wholsale price of flour has increased by Rs5, soaring to Rs62 per kilogramme (kg), in the open market, allegedly due to suspension of wheat supply from government warehouses to flour mills.

Flour no 2.5 is being sold at Rs57 per kg after its price increased by Rs4, while the price of fine flour has swelled to Rs59 per kg. Moreover, the price of semolina has risen to Rs59 per kg.

Sources affiliated with Flour Mills Association say that wheat purchased from Punjab, to meet the shortfall in Sindh, has not reached the province yet. As a result, around 70% of the mills in the province are relying on procuring wheat from the open market to continue operations.

Sources further revealed that the production capacity of the flour mills in Sindh has reduced by 50 per cent, due to non-supply of wheat from government warehouses.

Following this development, retail price of fine flour has increased to RS65 per kg, after an increase of Rs10, and the retail price of flour no 2.5 has risen to Rs62 per kg.

New rates for rotis

Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani has issued a notification, which states that a tandoori naan weighing around 120 grams is to be sold for Rs10 and a chapati weighing around 110 grams is to be sold for Rs8.

As per the notification, all tandoor owners in Karachi are directed to keep a digital balance at their shops as well as display a list mentioning the new rates, set in accordance with the weight of the bread. Eateries have also been instructed to sell naans and chapatis according to new rates.

Meanwhile, directives have also been issued regarding the prohibition of selling rotis in non-biodegradable plastic bags and maintaining health and hygiene standards.