Roti Prices Set to Rise as Talks Between Bakers and Authorities Fail
Negotiations between the government, district administration, and representatives of baker associations have broken down, clearing the way for an increase in the prices of roti, naan, paratha, and roghani naan across Punjab.
The Pakistan Nanbai Association, representing baker groups from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and all 43 districts of Punjab, announced that the new prices will take effect from Tuesday, September 9.
The decision comes after efforts by local authorities to hold urgent talks with the bakers’ leadership. However, association representatives did not attend the meeting, citing rising production costs as the main challenge.
According to Shafiq Qureshi, central president of the Pakistan Nanbai Association, the sharp rise in flour prices has left bakers unable to maintain the previous rates. He explained that the cost of a 79 kg sack of red flour has jumped from Rs5,435 on August 31 to Rs9,200 at flour mills, and up to Rs9,700 in open markets. Similarly, fine flour prices have surged from Rs6,200 to Rs9,800, with some markets selling at Rs10,400.
Under the revised rates, Surkh Patiri roti will be sold at Rs20 instead of Rs14, while naan and paratha will also see an increase of Rs5 each.
Qureshi emphasized that bakers would be willing to reverse the price hike if flour costs are brought back to earlier levels, stating, “It is not possible to sell roti cheaply when flour sacks are priced above Rs9,000.”
