KARACHI: While inflation-hit Karachiites are already paying the highest price of flour in the country, the city administration’s decision to further increase the prices of various flour varieties by Rs4 to Rs15 has compounded their problems.

As usual, the new price list of various essential items issued by the Commissioner of Karachi has provided no relief to the masses as retailers continue to defy the official rates.

Retailers also maintained an old habit of not displaying the price list of commodities at their shops.

The rate increase, compared with the last rates fixed in March, was made without citing any reason.

Rates of various flour varieties rise by Rs4 to Rs15 per kg; retailers continue to defy official price list

The new retail rates of flour No. 2.5, fine flour and chakki flour have been fixed at Rs113, Rs121 and Rs145 per kg, respectively, versus Rs99, Rs117 and Rs130 fixed on March 31, 2026.

Before the fixation of prices, consumers were already paying Rs130 for flour No 2.5 followed by Rs140 for fine flour and Rs150-160 per kg for chakki flour.

Despite the arrival of the new Sindh crop, wheat prices continued to crawl up in the open market, forcing the millers to raise prices of various varieties of flour.

Flour millers on May 13 issued the rate of flour No 2.5 at 5,940 to 6,000 (cash and credit) per 50kg bag, followed by 10kg flour bag at Rs1,198 to 1,210, Rs6,140 to 6,200 for super fine flour (maida) per 50kg bag and Rs6,340 to 6,400 per 50kg bag for fine flour.

On March 25, 2026, the prices of a 50 kg bag of flour No 2.5, a 10kg flour bag, a 50 kg bag of maida and a 50kg fine flour were Rs4,740 to 4,800, Rs 958 to 970, Rs 5,540 to 5,600 and 5,640 to 5,700, respectively.

Higher flour rates have already led to an increase in various varieties of Roti and bread.

Chairman Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association (KWGA) Rauf Ibrahim said that flour prices have been creeping up owing to rising wheat prices in the open market followed by reports of low wheat crop this year. Currently, wheat is available at Rs108-110 per kg as compared to Rs93 two months ago.

He said hoarding of wheat is also rampant while Punjab has banned inter-provincial wheat movement.

Grocery

On May 12, 2026 the city government also came out with new rates of grocery items. For example, the new retail rates of Mash (washed), Moong (washed), Masoor No. 1 quality and Gram Pulse No. 1 quality have been fixed at Rs400, Rs365, Rs205 and Rs215 per kg while consumers are paying Rs440-500, Rs360-420, Rs220-300 and Rs220-280 for these items, respectively.

The new official retail rates of Kabuli Channa (8mm plus), Black Gram and Basin are Rs365, Rs190 and Rs235 per kg while in the retail markets, they are tagged at Rs390, Rs280 and Rs350 per kg.

Kernal Basmati Export quality rice is sold at Rs400 to 420 per kg while its official rate is fixed at Rs385 per kg. Kernal Basmati No 1. quality is available at Rs380 against its official rate of Rs365 per kg. Irri 6 and Irri 9 prices have been fixed at Rs120 to 125 per kg while retailers are demanding Rs150-190 per kg.

The official grocery items’ prices issued on May 12, 2026 compared with the last price of February 16, 2026 show fluctuations in pulses, Kabuli Channa, Black Gram and Besan of Rupees five to Rs55 per kg followed by Rupees five to Rs35 per kg in prices of rice varieties.

In spices, the commissioner has kept the retail rates of Chilli whole, Chilli Powder, Chilli whole hybrid and Coriander Powder at Rs695, Rs750, Rs535 and Rs535 per kg. However, the price of Chilli Powder Hybrid and Coriander Whole has been raised to Rs590 and Rs490 from Rs585 and Rs480 per kg.

Turmeric whole and Turmeric powder prices have been slashed to Rs480 and Rs535 per kg from Rs580 and Rs640 per kg, respectively.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2026