The recent floods have triggered a fresh wave of inflation, causing sharp increases in wheat and flour prices nationwide. Citizens are now facing severe hardship as the cost of a basic 20-kilogram flour bag has surged by hundreds of rupees within a single month.
Sharp Rise in Flour and Wheat Prices
According to official figures, the price of a 20-kilogram bag of flour has increased by Rs410 in just one month, reaching Rs1,810. In Sindh’s Sanghar district, flour that was previously available for Rs80 per kilogram is now selling for Rs125, creating severe hardship for families already struggling with high living costs.
The wheat market has also seen a significant jump, with prices surging by Rs700 per maund over the past month, rising from Rs2,300 to Rs3,000. Officials fear further supply instability due to the widespread damage to the wheat crop caused by the floods.
Emergency Measures in Punjab
In response to a possible wheat shortage, the Punjab government has taken strict measures. Feed mills have been barred from using wheat for 30 days under Section 144, and the Price Control Department has been directed to raid warehouses suspected of hoarding. In overnight operations in Kasur and Faisalabad, authorities recovered 18,700 sacks of illegally stored wheat to stabilize supply and prevent profiteering.
Vegetable Prices Also Soar
The report also highlights that the floods and recent rains have fueled a sharp rise in vegetable prices. In Islamabad, tomatoes have completely disappeared from affordable markets, while prices for other vegetables, including potatoes and onions, have become unaffordable. Shopkeepers report that tomatoes are being sold in wholesale markets for Rs300 per kg, a sharp contrast to the official government rate of Rs123 per kg. In Jhelum, tomatoes that were available for Rs50 per kg just a week ago are now being sold for Rs220 per kg.
