Wheat flour price surge triggers roti crisis

20kg bag hits Rs3,300 as supplies dwindle

PESHAWAR:

The price of a 20-kilogram bag of flour has soared to Rs3,300 in Peshawar, triggering a corresponding rise in the cost of roti and sparking public frustration over what many describe as an artificial crisis.

With government-subsidised flour largely unavailable in the open market, commercial rates have climbed sharply. A 20-kg bag of coarse (dana-dar) flour is now selling for Rs3,300, while fine flour of the same weight costs Rs3,120. An 80-kg bag of coarse flour has reached Rs13,200, and 20 kg of chokar is priced at Rs1,480. Traders and residents say these levels mark a record increase in the city.

The surge has prompted significant investment activity. Flour dealers have reportedly earned crores of rupees in profits within just a few days by capitalising on the rapid price rise. At the same time, allegations have surfaced that an artificial shortage is being engineered. In response, law-enforcement agencies have begun monitoring large dealers and warehouses across the city.

The impact has quickly reached the tandoors. Bakers have raised the price of a 50-gram single roti to Rs30, an increase of Rs10. In several key markets, including Khyber Bazaar, Ashraf Road, Karachi Market, Namak Mandi and Government College Chowk, the sale of single rotis has been discontinued. Only double rotis are now available, selling for Rs40 each. Residents also report a continuous reduction in the weight of rotis being sold.

Despite the sharp rise in prices and the shrinking size of bread, the Peshawar administration has remained silent. Citizens have appealed to the government to take action against bakers and sellers who refuse to supply roti according to the official rate list and prescribed weight.

The combination of vanishing official supplies, soaring market rates, dealer profits and reduced roti weights has left ordinary households bearing the brunt of the crisis, with no immediate relief in sight.

Meanwhile, Food Department claimed it distributed a total of 417,168 bags of flour at official rates across the province through 1,611 active flour dealers last week. According to the figures, Peshawar Division received 101,955 bags, Mardan Division 59,389, Malakand Division 120,737, Hazara Division 38,129, Bannu 12,588, Dera Ismail Khan Division 41,688 and Kohat Division 42,682 bags.

The department stated that 3,000 metric tonnes of government wheat from the provincial strategic reserve is being released daily to flour mills. Citizens are receiving 20-kilogramme bags of official flour at Rs 2,520 through selected dealers.

Eight flour mills were fined for violating standard operating procedures. Teams of the Food Safety and Halal Food Authority and the Food Department are regularly monitoring the quality of wheat and flour.