Flour, onion prices rise as consumers face fresh burden

The latest increase has affected common food items, with naan, sheermal and taftaan becoming more expensive at several tandoors across the city.

Flour millers have raised the prices of different varieties, while onion prices have also jumped sharply in wholesale and retail markets.

The increases have come despite plans to import one million tonnes of wheat. Traders, however, say the proposed quantity may not be enough to meet the country’s requirements.

Flour prices push up roti rates

Flour millers in Karachi recently increased the price of a 50kg bag of flour No 2.5 by Rs250, taking it to Rs7,200.

The price of a 50kg bag of maida has risen by Rs275 to Rs7,600, while a 50kg bag of fine flour now costs Rs7,750.

Millers have linked the latest increases to higher wheat prices in the open market. The prices are considerably higher than those recorded earlier this year.

At the end of April, a 50kg bag of flour No 2.5 was available for Rs5,600. Maida was priced at Rs5,800, while fine flour cost around Rs6,000 per bag.

The increase in flour prices has quickly affected consumers buying prepared bread. Several major tandoor operators have raised the price of naan to as much as Rs35.

Sheermal and taftaan are also being sold for up to Rs110 per piece, compared with Rs100 previously. Some tandoors have increased naan prices from Rs25 to Rs30.

These increases have added pressure on households that depend heavily on bread as an affordable daily food item.

Official roti rates face pressure

The higher market prices have also raised questions about enforcement of officially fixed roti prices in Karachi.

The Karachi commissioner had fixed prices for different weights of chapati and tandoori naan in February. The rates ranged from Rs14 for 120 grams to Rs27 for 180 grams.

However, tandoor operators had already increased prices during May and June. Different varieties, including chapati, naan, sheermal, taftaan and kulcha, became Rs2 to Rs10 more expensive.

The continued increases suggest that official prices have had limited impact on what many consumers actually pay.

Consumers often accept the higher prices without checking the weight of the dough. This makes it difficult for buyers to determine whether the increased price is matched by a larger portion.

The problem is not limited to Karachi. National data also shows that flour prices have increased in different parts of Pakistan.

According to Sensitive Price Indicator data for the week ending August 20, the national average price of a 20kg flour bag was between Rs2,200 and Rs3,133.

A 10kg wheat bag averaged Rs1,236, while one kilogram of fine flour stood at Rs153. These prices were higher than levels recorded at the end of March.

Wheat supply raises fresh concerns

The government has assigned the Trading Corporation of Pakistan the task of importing one million tonnes of wheat.

This comes even though wheat production increased by 4.3% during fiscal year 2026, reaching 29.61 million tonnes, according to the Economic Survey.

Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association chairman Rauf Ibrahim has questioned whether the planned import will be enough to cover demand.

He said only seven to eight months remained before the arrival of the next wheat crop. He also noted that an international tender had not yet been issued, while imported wheat could take two to three months to arrive.

Ibrahim suggested that flour mills should be allowed to import wheat directly. He also proposed that quotas should be allocated among mills to manage supplies.

According to him, Pakistan may need more than four million tonnes of wheat to meet requirements during the coming months.

He also called for the removal of restrictions on the movement of wheat between provinces. Punjab has produced around 22 million tonnes against consumption of about 15 million tonnes.

However, restrictions on wheat movement from Punjab have contributed to higher open-market prices. Wheat in the province has reportedly reached Rs130 per kilogram.

Traders have warned that winter demand could put additional pressure on supplies. If demand rises while supplies remain tight, flour prices could increase further.

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Onion prices add to household pressure

Consumers are also facing a sharp increase in onion prices.

Onions are currently selling for around Rs150 to Rs180 per kilogram, depending on size. A week earlier, prices ranged between Rs110 and Rs150 per kilogram.

At the end of July, onions were available for around Rs90 to Rs120 per kilogram.

The increase has therefore added another burden for families already dealing with higher flour and bread prices.

Vegetable market representatives say supply is currently relying heavily on crops from Balochistan. The new onion crop from Sindh is expected to reach markets by the end of September and into October.

The supply situation could improve once the new crop reaches markets. Until then, prices may remain under pressure if supplies do not increase sufficiently.

Onions imported from Afghanistan previously helped cover shortages in the local market. However, their arrival has remained suspended for several months.

A small quantity of onions has also started arriving from Iran, but traders say their quality is not satisfactory.