Flour price climb in Karachi as federal government delays the wheat import tender, following plans to bring in one million tonnes.

On August 6, Sensitive Price Index data showed 20‑kg wheat flour prices in Karachi rising to a range of Rs2,700‑3,000, compared with Rs2,600‑2,900 at the week ending July 30. The 10‑kg wheat bag price increased to Rs1,200 from Rs1,160, and one‑kg fine flour rose to Rs158.56 from Rs149.46. Nationally, the average prices for a 20‑kg flour bag, 10‑kg wheat, and 1‑kg fine flour for the week ending August 6 were Rs2,200‑3,133, Rs1,235, and Rs153, respectively, compared with Rs2,200‑3,133, Rs1,223, and Rs152.14 at the week ending July 30. Wheat flour prices increased by 0.52 percent during this period. Traders said that the government has not yet paid ample attention to the rising prices of wheat and wheat flour ahead of the planned import of one million tonnes. They warned that without price controls before imported wheat arrives, consumers will not benefit significantly. SPI data for Islamabad and Rawalpindi indicated that 10‑kg wheat bag prices reach Rs1,339.31, forcing consumers to pay Rs3,040‑3,133 for a 20‑kg wheat flour bag, and fine flour prices reach Rs173.68 per kg, higher than in other cities. Provinces have outlined their wheat import plans. The Sindh Cabinet approved the import of 500,000 tonnes via the Trading Corporation of Pakistan, coordinated by the federal government. Punjab aims to import one million tonnes, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 200,000 tonnes, and Balochistan 57,500 tonnes. Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association Chairman Rauf Ibrahim said the government needs to accelerate its effort to curb wheat hoarding by vested interests and speculators who have already entered the commodity business. He stated that the government is taking too long to issue a tender for wheat imports. He added that it will take several months for imported wheat to reach Pakistan, while the new wheat crop will arrive between March and May 2027.