ISLAMABAD: The ongoing heavy rains and flooding in Punjab have triggered a sharp rise in flour prices across the country, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The PBS report, covering data up to September 5, revealed that in the past three weeks, the price of a 20-kilogram flour bag has increased by as much as Rs1,050, pushing the maximum retail price to Rs2,500 in several parts of the country.

In regional breakdowns, flour prices rose by Rs1,050 in Bannu, Rs900 in Peshawar and Larkana, Rs840 in Sukkur, Rs830 in Lahore, Rs826 in Multan, Rs817 in Gujranwala and Sialkot, Rs800 in Islamabad, and Rs740 in Rawalpindi and Quetta.

Meanwhile, Bahawalpur recorded an increase of Rs866.67 in the price of a 20-kg flour bag during the same period.

Authorities have linked the surge to supply chain disruptions caused by torrential rains and flooding in wheat-producing areas, raising concerns of further inflationary pressure on essential commodities.

Earlier, the price of a 20-kilogram bag of  flour has reached PKR 2,500, the highest ever recorded. This sharp rise has created serious problems for consumers who are already struggling with heavy inflation.

The increase in flour prices is linked to several reasons, including problems in the wheat supply chain, higher production costs, and overall inflation. Because of these issues, the prices of basic food items have gone up, putting more pressure on households across the country.