Karachi raises official flour prices as consumers continue to pay above notified rates

KARACHI: Karachi’s administration has increased the officially notified prices of several flour varieties by Rs4 to Rs15 per kilogram, adding to the burden on consumers who were already paying the highest flour prices in the country, according to a new price list issued by the commissioner.

The revised retail rates set flour No. 2.5 at Rs113 per kg, fine flour at Rs121 per kg and chakki flour at Rs145 per kg. These compare with the rates fixed on March 31, 2026, when the same items were priced at Rs99, Rs117 and Rs130 per kg, respectively.

Even before the latest notification, market prices were already above the official levels. Consumers had been paying around Rs130 per kg for flour No. 2.5, Rs140 for fine flour and Rs150 to Rs160 per kg for chakki flour.

The latest official list, however, has not translated into relief at the retail level, where shopkeepers continue to sell above notified rates and often do not display the government price list at their outlets.

Mill rates climb with wheat prices

The increase in flour prices came despite the arrival of the new wheat crop in Sindh, as wheat continued to become more expensive in the open market, prompting millers to revise rates upward.

On May 13, flour millers quoted flour No. 2.5 at Rs5,940 to Rs6,000 per 50kg bag on cash and credit, while a 10kg flour bag was priced at Rs1,198 to Rs1,210. Super fine flour, or maida, was quoted at Rs6,140 to Rs6,200 per 50kg bag, and fine flour at Rs6,340 to Rs6,400 per 50kg bag.

By comparison, on March 25, 2026, the rates stood at Rs4,740 to Rs4,800 for a 50kg bag of flour No. 2.5, Rs958 to Rs970 for a 10kg flour bag, Rs5,540 to Rs5,600 for a 50kg bag of maida and Rs5,640 to Rs5,700 for a 50kg bag of fine flour.

Higher flour prices have already pushed up the cost of different types of roti and bread.

Chairman Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association Rauf Ibrahim said flour prices had been moving up because wheat had become costlier in the open market and because of reports of a lower wheat crop this year. He said wheat was currently selling at Rs108-110 per kg, compared with Rs93 two months ago.

He also said wheat hoarding was widespread and that Punjab had banned inter-provincial movement of wheat.

Grocery rates also revised

On May 12, 2026, the city government also issued revised rates for grocery items. The official retail prices for mash (washed), moong (washed), masoor No. 1 quality and gram pulse No. 1 quality were fixed at Rs400, Rs365, Rs205 and Rs215 per kg, respectively.

In retail markets, however, consumers were paying Rs440-500 for mash, Rs360-420 for moong, Rs220-300 for masoor and Rs220-280 per kg for gram pulse.

The official rates for Kabuli channa (8mm plus), black gram and besan were set at Rs365, Rs190 and Rs235 per kg, while market prices stood at Rs390, Rs280 and Rs350 per kg, respectively.

Kernal Basmati export quality rice was being sold at Rs400 to Rs420 per kg against an official rate of Rs385, while Kernal Basmati No. 1 quality was available at Rs380 compared with the notified rate of Rs365 per kg. Official rates for Irri 6 and Irri 9 were fixed at Rs120 to Rs125 per kg, but retailers were charging Rs150-190 per kg.

A comparison of the grocery rates issued on May 12, 2026, with the previous list dated February 16, 2026, showed changes of Rs5 to Rs55 per kg in pulses, Kabuli channa, black gram and besan, and Rs5 to Rs35 per kg in rice varieties.

In spices, the commissioner kept the retail rates of chilli whole, chilli powder, chilli whole hybrid and coriander powder unchanged at Rs695, Rs750, Rs535 and Rs535 per kg. However, chilli powder hybrid was raised to Rs590 from Rs585 per kg, while coriander whole increased to Rs490 from Rs480 per kg.

Turmeric whole and turmeric powder were reduced to Rs480 and Rs535 per kg from Rs580 and Rs640 per kg, respectively.