Despite government claims of easing inflation, consumers across Pakistan continue to feel the pinch as the prices of essential kitchen items, including flour, ghee, and cooking oil, have spiked once again.
Retailers report that branded fine flour bags have seen significant price hikes, with 5-kg and 10-kg bags rising by Rs50 and Rs100, respectively. Consumers now pay between Rs630-650 for a 5-kg bag, up from Rs570-600 just a week ago. Similarly, a 10-kg bag is now priced between Rs1,200-1,300, compared to Rs1,100-1,200 previously. The price of other flour types, such as flour no. 2.5, fine, and super fine flour, has increased by an average of Rs10 per kilogram.
Flour millers attribute these hikes to rising wheat prices. “The price of a 100-kg wheat bag in the open market has increased from Rs7,700 to Rs8,200,” explained a local miller, noting that this has forced millers to adjust flour prices accordingly.
The cost of ghee and cooking oil has also surged, with prices rising by Rs40 per liter or kilogram. Sheikh Umer Rehan, Chairman of the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA), explained that global market dynamics are partly to blame. “Palm oil rates have jumped by $200 to $1,100 per tonne, which has directly impacted prices here,” Rehan said.
In addition, heavy taxation continues to burden consumers. The government charges an average Rs9,500 per tonne in customs duty on imported palm oil and palm olein, with the total tax incidence amounting to Rs100 per kg or litre of ghee and cooking oil. Of this, Rs60 is attributed to general sales tax, adding to the cost pressures on consumers.
As the prices of staple items continue to rise, consumers face growing frustration, casting doubt on the government’s assurances of curbing inflation.
