Bakers threaten strike if roti price not hiked

Nanbais (bakers) in the provincial capital have threatened to shut down their business if the authorities do not increase the price of bread.

Meanwhile, despite the availability of flour in the grain, a decrease in the number of shoppers frequenting the markets was witnessed as inflation drives up flour costs in the grain markets.

The higher price of roti has forced the residents to wander from pillar to post for the bread.

According to the details, the price of a 20kg bag of fine flour has reached up to Rs2300, while a bag of local flour is being sold for Rs2100 and the price of flour per kg has also exceeded Rs120.

In this regard, Haji Zarif, president of the grain market Dalazak Road area of the provincial capital, told The Express Tribune that the government should take measures in this regard and restore the supply of flour from Punjab so that the prices of flour can be controlled.

He said that since the PTI is at the helm of affairs in both Punjab and K-P, both governments should take joint measures to solve the problems of price and supply of flour.

The bakers have refused to sell bread weighing 120 grams at Rs20 due to the increase in flour prices, he shared.

Local nanbai association president Haji Farooq Ahmed told The Express Tribune that the price of an 80kg bag of fine flour has spiked within a few days, hovering from Rs7500 to Rs9500. Therefore, it was not possible for the tandoor owners to sell the bread at the old weight and price.

He said that the demand in Peshawar alone stood at 3000 sacks per day which should be supplied locally through the mills.

“The weight of bread should be fixed at 100 grams while the price should be fixed at Rs20, and the price of 130 grams of bread should be fixed at Rs30. Only then we will be in a position to sell bread,” Mr Ahmed emphasised.

If the demands are not met, the association will have no choice but to shut down the tandoor and go on strike, he warned.

He went on to complain that the district administration of Peshawar was not negotiating with the business owners over the matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2022.