Summary Flour prices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rose to Rs2,400 per 20kg bag due to Punjab supply disruptions, worsening the burden on consumers and prompting government intervention.
LAHORE (Web Desk) – Flour prices have risen sharply in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to disruptions in the interprovincial supply of wheat and flour from Punjab, creating pressure on consumers across the province.
According to industry sources, the flour mills sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa relies heavily on wheat supplied from Punjab. The province produces around 1.2 million metric tonnes of wheat annually, while its total requirement stands at approximately 5.2 million metric tonnes. This leaves a shortfall of nearly 4 million metric tonnes, typically met through imports from Punjab.
Officials from the flour mills association said that supply constraints have forced millers to procure wheat at higher prices, leading to an increase in flour rates in the local market.
Over the past week, the price of a 20kg flour bag has surged from Rs2,200 to Rs2,400, significantly impacting low-income households already struggling with rising living costs.
The situation has triggered concern among provincial authorities. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved the purchase of 225,000 metric tonnes of wheat and released funds accordingly to stabilise prices.
In addition, the provincial government has written to the federal government and Punjab authorities, terming restrictions on wheat transportation unconstitutional and urging the immediate removal of barriers on interprovincial supply.
