Ample wheat stock available, yet flour prices surge

Despite the availability of ample wheat stocks in both government and private sector godowns, flour prices in Sindh have once again begun to climb, raising concerns among consumers already grappling with inflation.

Retail Grocers Association Chairman Fareed Qureshi told The Express Tribune that the Sindh government had fixed the official wholesale rate of flour at Rs94 per kilogram and the retail price at Rs98 per kilogram as of Sept 22. However, the market has recently witnessed a steady rise in wheat prices, with the wholesale rate increasing from Rs86 to Rs93 per kilogram.

This surge has directly impacted the cost of flour, pushing the retail price of No2.5 and fine flour up by Rs3 per kilogram. "If mills supply flour at the government-notified rate of Rs94 per kilogram, retailers can easily sell it at Rs98 as per the official price list. However, mills are currently charging well above the fixed rate, making it impossible for retailers to comply," Qureshi said.