Sharp increase in the price of flour

LAHORE: Despite the start of the wheat harvesting season in Punjab, the price of flour has increased sharply, private companies have started selling flour at high prices under brand names.

According to sources, the official price of wheat has been fixed by the government at Rs 3,500 per maund in the current season, however, the price of wheat in the open market has reached about Rs 88 per kilogram.

On the other hand, flour produced by private companies is being sold at up to Rs 180 per kilogram, while the price of flour per maund is being reported to be around Rs 7,200.

At the local level, wheat grinding costs Rs 400 to 500 per maund, after which the total price of one maund of flour is about Rs 4,000. However, the flour produced after grinding in the local market is available at Rs 98 to 108 per kilogram, despite this, the private sector is selling the same flour at up to Rs 180 per kilogram.