Karachi residents are facing rising food costs as a shortage of wheat pushes flour prices higher across the city. The increase has already affected roti and naan prices, raising concerns that people may have to pay even more for a basic meal.
On October 8, flour prices increased by around Rs. 14 per kilogram in Karachi. Retail prices reached Rs. 180 per kg for regular flour, Rs. 200 for fine flour and Rs. 210 for chakki flour. Tandoor owners also warned that roti prices could rise further if flour and fuel costs remained high.
The situation has raised fears that some sellers could charge as much as Rs. 50 for a single roti. However, this price has not been confirmed as a citywide rate. The Karachi commissioner recently fixed the official price of a 100-gram chapati at Rs. 16, but market prices remain higher at many shops.
To control prices, the Sindh government approved the release of government wheat at Rs. 12,500 per 100-kilogram bag from October 15. The impact of this step on retail prices remains uncertain.
