KARACHI: The prices of breakfast items go further up following a decision by branded bread manufacturers to increase the prices by an average 19 per cent from Saturday (today).

Last month, in August, the prices of butter were increased.

The bread manufacturers attribute the rise in prices to rising cost of raw material, including super fine flour (maida), utility bills and distribution cost.

In the second week of last June, consumers braved 16 to 17 per cent increase in the prices.

General secretary of the Karachi Bread Association (KBA) Haroon Iqbal Sheikh told Dawn on Wednesday that the price of maida had increased by 42pc to Rs5,700 per 50kg bag from June 2022 rate till to date.

Bakers blame rising cost of production for price hike; butter price increased last month

Maida holds 65pc share in the total production of bread and other bakery items.

He said after the price hike, large, medium, small and mini plain breads would be available at Rs200, Rs150, Rs110 and Rs70, while milky breads medium, small and mini would be sold at Rs151, Rs111 and Rs71, respectively.

Bran bread and large fruit bun prices have been fixed at Rs150 and Rs50.

Mini bun, burger roll, cut burger and special burger will carry new price tags of Rs20, Rs35, Rs100 and Rs110, respectively.

“In case, the price of super fine flour crosses Rs7,000 per 50kg, we will be bound to further pass on its impact to consumers,” Mr Sheikh warned.

Responding to a question about effects of rising prices on sales, he said “production of our 19 members has plunged by at least 30pc from June 2022 onwards due to falling demand because of high prices.”

He added that some three to four factories manufacturing only rusk (Paapey) had also been closed over the last three months.

Meanwhile, a leading multinational butter maker has also increased its rates on August 1, 2022.

As per rates issued to retailers, the Blue Band butter packets of 50gm, 90gm, 180gm, 235gm and 475gm are now selling at Rs80, Rs140, Rs270, Rs400 and Rs750 as compared to Rs60, Rs120, Rs240, Rs360 and Rs600 of earlier rates. The rate list did not mention the reason of price hike.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2022