Chandigarh: Rising prices of essential kitchen commodities are putting additional pressure on household budgets, particularly for middle- and low-income families. After a recent increase in sugar prices, flour has also become costlier in Punjab’s retail market.
According to the Punjab Roller Flour Mills Association, chakki atta has increased by around ₹3 per kg, while branded flour has become ₹1 per kg more expensive.
Association president Naresh Ghai said the rise in flour prices was being witnessed across India. He said Punjab has around 90 roller flour mills along with thousands of flour mills, and many had increased their prices.
Ghai said the Centre had procured around 122 lakh tonnes of wheat from Punjab during the April harvest, accounting for nearly 98% of the state’s production, while the remaining stock was with millers. With those stocks now running out, millers are having to source wheat from other states, he said.
He argued that Punjab is both a major wheat-producing and consuming state and called for a special policy for the state.
Wheat prices rise
Miller Raghav Arora said wheat was available at an MSP of ₹2,585 per quintal in April, whereas millers are now purchasing it at around ₹2,800 per quintal.
Branded flour companies have also increased the price of a 10-kg bag from ₹489 to ₹500, according to the report.
Grocery shopkeeper Boota Ram said that following an increase in wholesale prices, retailers are now selling 10-kg bags of flour for around ₹340–₹350.
The price increase is expected to add further pressure on household food budgets as consumers already face higher costs for other essential commodities.
