Flour prices up 3% to 7%

The National Milling Company has announced that flour prices have gone up three to seven per cent effective from today and that may not be the end of the rises.

In notices in the newspapers, Namilco said that it has not increased prices since November 2008 and it is already milling higher-priced wheat. It said that its full pricelist is posted at its cashier cage but that it would like to emphasize that the increase translates into an increase of $4.40 per pound of loose flour and $8 per kg packet. It added “We do not expect increases to the consumer to be more than$10 per kg of flour. For example, most retailers selling a 1 kg Thunderbolt for $180 should not increase prices beyond $190.”

Namilco said that the increase was beyond its control and that any reduction in prices would be reflected in the price of flour. It also referred to the rising price of wheat worldwide. It said that the trend will likely continue in the new year and Namilco may be faced with further hikes.