Government wheat stocks end in Balochistan, shocking increase in flour prices

Shortage of wheat stocks and rising flour prices have increased fears of possible food crisis

Quetta: Due to non-availability of government stocks of wheat in Balochistan and purchase of wheat at expensive rates from open market, shocking increase has occurred in flour prices.

In Quetta, during one month, increase of Rs 2,000 has been recorded in price of 50 kg bag of fine flour while increase of Rs 600 has been recorded in price of 20 kg bag of chakki flour.

Flour mills owners have warned that if situation remains, bag of 50 kg flour can reach Rs 10,000.

Former Chairman Pakistan Flour Mills Association Syed Nasir Agha while talking specially to Express News said that government does not have government stocks of wheat in Balochistan, due to which flour mills of province are forced to buy wheat from open market. Expensive wheat, electricity and rising fuel costs have significantly increased production cost of flour.

He said that in Quetta, 100 kg bag of wheat is available for about Rs 14,500, while 100 kg bag of flour is being sold for about Rs 16,000 and 50 kg bag of fine flour is being sold for Rs 8,000.

According to him, flour mills are trying to give relief to people by reducing their expenses, however in current circumstances it is becoming difficult to maintain prices.

Syed Nasir Agha claimed that about 60 percent of flour mills of Balochistan have been closed, while remaining 40 percent mills are continuing supply of flour despite various difficulties. He warned that if government does not take immediate measures then price of 100 kg bag of flour can reach Rs 20,000 while price of 50 kg bag can reach Rs 10,000.

He said that hurdles in transportation of wheat can also make crisis more serious. According to him, supply of wheat is facing difficulties due to affected transportation on trade route between Khuzdar and Karachi, while in case of hurdle in alternative routes too, there is fear of severe shortage of wheat and flour in Balochistan.

Former Chairman Pakistan Flour Mills Association demanded from federal and provincial governments that appropriate share be also given to Balochistan in wheat being imported through Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP). He said that like other provinces, supply of wheat at government level should also be ensured for people of Balochistan so that flour prices can be controlled.

According to Syed Nasir Agha, Flour Mills Association is ready to decide workable action plan with government for purchase and transportation of wheat. He said that if government is facing administrative or financial difficulties then supply of wheat can also be made possible through private resources by consulting with association.

On other hand, difficulties of citizens have increased due to increase in flour prices. Citizens say that flour is basic need and due to continuous increase in its prices, it is becoming difficult for limited income families to meet daily expenses.

Shortage of wheat stocks and rising flour prices in Balochistan have increased fears of possible food crisis. In such situation, it is necessary that provincial and federal governments take immediate measures for supply of wheat, restoration of government stocks and stability in prices so that basic food need can be available to people at reasonable rates.