LAHORE: The prices of bread (roti) and naan have increased in Lahore as rising wheat and flour costs continue to push up food prices, with tandoor owners raising rates despite the government’s officially notified prices.

Citing the increase in the prices of wheat and flour, the Nanbai Association had earlier announced that the price of a standard roti would rise from Rs14 to Rs20, while naan would be sold for Rs30.

According to reports, no immediate action was taken by the local administration following the initial increase.

The United Nanbai Association has now announced another price hike, saying that a 20-kilogram bag of flour now costs around Rs2,400, while the price of fine flour (maida) has reached Rs12,000 per bag. As a result, the association said it plans to sell simple naan for Rs35 and plain roti for Rs25.

The association warned that if authorities attempt to stop the increase, tandoor owners would close their shops in protest.

Representatives of the association argued that they can no longer sell roti at the government’s official rate of Rs16 due to the sharp rise in the prices of flour, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and shopping bags. They called on the government to hold negotiations with them within the next three days to address their concerns.

Meanwhile, the district administration rejected the latest increase, stating that there is no justification for another price hike after rates had already been raised once.

Officials said the administration would not allow consumers to be deprived of affordable bread and warned that legal action would be taken against anyone who unilaterally increases prices in violation of the officially notified rates.

The issue highlights the growing pressure on both consumers and small businesses as inflation and rising input costs continue to affect the prices of essential food items.

Meanwhile, reports from Karachi indicate that bread prices have also increased in several parts of the city, where roti that was previously sold for Rs20 is now being sold for Rs25, reflecting the broader impact of rising flour prices across the country.