Flour prices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have risen sharply once again after disruptions in the interprovincial movement of wheat and flour from Punjab affected local supply chains.
Market figures show that the price of a 20-kilogram flour bag has increased from Rs. 2,200 to Rs. 2,400 within just one week, adding fresh pressure on household food expenses.
Officials from the Flour Mills Association said mills in KP are being forced to procure wheat at higher rates due to limited inflows from Punjab, the province’s primary supplier. As procurement costs climb, retail prices have also increased across local markets.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produces approximately 1.2 million metric tons of wheat annually, while total consumption stands near 5.2 million metric tons, leaving a shortfall of around 4 million metric tons that is typically fulfilled through supplies from Punjab.
The latest price hike comes amid broader inflation in essential commodities, with flour, sugar, and other basic food items witnessing steady increases in recent weeks.
Provincial authorities have reportedly contacted both the federal government and the Punjab government, seeking the removal of transportation restrictions to stabilize supplies. Industry representatives warn that if wheat movement issues continue, flour prices could rise further, intensifying financial strain on consumers already facing rising living costs.
