KARACHI: The recent decision by the Sindh Cabinet to reduce the wheat issue price to Rs8,000 per 100kg bag from Rs9,500 has come too late to prevent the ongoing surge in flour prices, already a burden on consumers in recent months due to rising wheat costs in the open market.

The new price, approved as part of a revision to the Wheat Release Policy for FY26, aims to ease pressures on flour mills, chakkies, and traders, but its impact on retail flour prices will take time to materialise.

A sub-committee was constituted to closely monitor the trend and, if required, it would recommend adjustments to the wheat issue price for cabinet consideration. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah hoped that early release of wheat would help maintain grain quality, free up storage space and support affordable flour prices for the end users.

Roti makers said the 50kg bag of fine flour rate has already surged to Rs6,000 which was Rs5,700 in September while flour No.2.5 and maida (super fine flour) are now priced at Rs5,700 and Rs5,900 as compared to Rs5,300 and Rs5,600, respectively.

Wheat issue price cut may take time to stabilise rates

They said the price of chapati is now Rs14-15 as compared to Rs12-13 while those tandoor owners, who were selling naan (180 grams) at Rs20 and Rs25, are now charging Rs25 and Rs30, respectively.

As per data of Sensitive Price Index ending Dec 11, the price of 20kg flour bag rose to Rs2,300-2,500 from Rs2,200-2,400 prevailing on Dec 4, while 10kg wheat bag and fine flour rates surged to Rs970 and Rs132 per kg from Rs930 and Rs124.

As Sindh’s new crop will find its way into the markets in March, wheat price may come down after the provincial government’s decision on lowering the issue price of wheat to the millers but it will take some time as millers had wheat stocks purchased at Rs10,300-10,500 per 100kg bag, a miller said.

He added it is also not clear now how much quota will be allotted to each mill. “I think, by next week, the situation will be clear regarding the wheat quota and price drop in flour varieties,” he added.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2025