Prices for wheat and flour are skyrocketing in Pakistan due to ongoing floods.

Prices for wheat and bread have skyrocketed nationwide as a result of the recent floods, which have also caused a new wave of inflation. The price of a simple 20-kilogram flour bag has increased by hundreds of rupees in just one month, causing hardship for the populace.

Price increases for wheat and flour
A 20-kilogram bag of flour now costs Rs1,810, up Rs410 in just one month, according to official estimates. Flour, which used to cost Rs80 per kilogram in the Sanghar area of Sindh, is now sold for Rs125, causing extreme hardship for families who are already battling with exorbitant living expenses.

There has also been a notable surge in the wheat market. During the previous month, prices have increased from Rs2,300 to Rs3,000 per maund, a 700 rupee increase. Officials worry that the flood-damaged wheat harvest would cause more supply volatility.

Punjab’s emergency measures
The Punjab administration has taken strong action in anticipation of a potential wheat scarcity. The Price Control Department has been instructed to raid warehouses suspected of hoarding, and feed mills have been prohibited from utilizing wheat for 30 days under Section 144.

In an effort to stabilize the supply and stop profiteering, officials retrieved 18,700 sacks of unlawfully stored wheat during nocturnal operations in Kasur and Faisalabad.

Floods’ effects on wheat crops
Authorities caution that standing wheat crops have suffered significant damage as a result of the extensive flooding, which has decreased output and exacerbated market shortages. The burden on regular people has increased as a result of this disruption, which has spurred speculation and price increases.

Cost increases are a problem for citizens.
The abrupt increase in flour prices has made it hard for many families to afford even two meals a day. People in Sanghar, Sindh, expressed their annoyance, claiming that the increase in price from Rs80 to Rs125 per kilogram had made bread unaffordable for low-income households.

Vegetable prices have also skyrocketed due to the floods and recent rains, and major city markets are experiencing shortages.

Also Read: Vegetable shortages and price increases due to floods and rains

Tomatoes have entirely vanished from low-cost markets in Islamabad, and the cost of other vegetables, like as potatoes and onions, has also skyrocketed. In contrast to the official government tariff of Rs123 per kg, shopkeepers claim that tomatoes are being sold in wholesale marketplaces for Rs300 per kg.

The capital is not the only thing affected. Heavy rains and flooding in Jhelum have caused significant damage to crops and agricultural grounds, which has caused prices to spike. Only a week ago, tomatoes were Rs50 per kg; today, they cost Rs220 per kilogram.

Traders at Sadar Sabzi Mandi claim that the cost of other vegetables, including bitter gourd, potatoes, onions, and cabbage, has increased by 150%.

People have called on authorities to take immediate action to stabilize prices and guarantee supplies, claiming that the shortfall has made everyday necessities unaffordable.