KARACHI (March 10 2004): Bread prices in the city have been increased in the range of 5.5 percent to 25 percent due to shortage of wheat and flour.

“The branded and non-branded breads have become costlier for consumers due to the ongoing wheat crisis, which is the basic raw material for this product,” said Farid Qureshi, general secretary, Karachi Retail Grocers Group.

“The prices may increase further if the raw material is not made available to the bakeries and bread manufacturing companies.”

The price of large-size branded plain bread has risen eight percent to Rs 27 from Rs 25 last week, while the price of small-size bread rose 7.69 percent to Rs 14 per bread from Rs 13 in the previous week.

Meanwhile, a non-branded large-size bread, which was available at Rs 23 last week, is now costing Rs 26. Same is the case with small-size bread, which now costs Rs 13. Also, the prices of branded milky bread have risen 7.14 percent to Rs 15 from Rs 14 the previous week, while the price of mini bread surged 25 percent to Rs 10 from Rs 8.

The prices of bun have also increased 10 percent to Rs 22 per dozen from Rs 20. Fruity bun prices have risen 14.28 percent to Rs 8 per bun. —Staff Report.

Daily Times