LAHORE: Wheat prices have increased sharply across Punjab, with rates rising by up to Rs700 per maund, causing concern among consumers as flour prices also move upward.
Market sources say the price of wheat has crossed Rs4,400 per maund in several cities. In Rawalpindi, wheat is being sold at around Rs4,800 per maund, while in Lahore the rate has reached Rs4,450 per maund.
The rise in wheat prices has directly affected flour costs. According to traders, the price of a 15-kilogram flour bag has gone up from Rs1,500 to Rs1,750. In many parts of Lahore, 10kg and 20kg flour bags have become hard to find, adding to public worries.
Similar price trends are being reported from other cities of Punjab. Wheat is selling at Rs4,500 per maund in Gujranwala and Gujrat, while in Multan the rate stands at around Rs4,450. In Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan, wheat prices are close to Rs4,400 per maund.
Chairman of the Flour Mills Association, Asim Raza, said that the increase in flour prices is due to a shortage of wheat in the market. He warned that prices could remain high if the supply situation does not improve.
However, the Punjab Food Department has rejected claims of a shortage. Officials say there is no lack of flour in the province and that sufficient quantities of 10kg and 20kg flour bags are available at shops.
The department also stated that more than 700 flour mills are currently providing subsidized flour made from government wheat, aiming to stabilize prices and ensure supply for the public.
Moreover, Flour prices have increased in several cities across Pakistan, adding to the financial pressure on households as mill owners and government departments offer differing views on the reasons behind the hike.
In Hyderabad, the price of flour has gone up by Rs10 to Rs20 per kilogram. As a result, a 20-kilogram bag of flour is now being sold for between Rs2,400 and Rs2,600. Similar increases have been reported in other cities, including Peshawar, where the price of a 20-kilogram bag has risen by Rs200 within a week.
Flour mill owners say the increase is mainly due to a sharp rise in wheat prices. According to them, the cost of a 100-kilogram bag of wheat has gone up by Rs1,300 to Rs1,500. They also claim that limited availability of government wheat has caused shortages, particularly in Punjab.
Sources from the Flour Mills Association said that government wheat supplies are largely restricted to Lahore, leading to a shortage of flour in Central and South Punjab. They added that 10-kilogram flour bags are not available in many cities, and some mills have reduced or stopped wheat grinding due to high costs. Mill owners say they cannot sell flour at lower prices when wheat is being sold at Rs4,600 per maund.
Group Leader of the Flour Mills Association, Asim Raza, said flour is being supplied to the market only in proportion to the wheat provided by the government. He warned that wheat supplies this year are much lower than last year, which is pushing prices up and may lead to further increases in the coming weeks.
On the other hand, the Punjab Food Department has rejected claims of a shortage. A department spokesperson said the province currently has 800,000 metric tons of wheat in stock and that there is no flour shortage in Punjab.
