LPG shock hits restaurant food costs, owners warn of further hike

KARACHI (Staff Report): Rising prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have forced hotel and restaurant owners to increase the prices of bread and curry, adding to the financial burden on consumers already struggling with persistent inflation.

Hotel owners say the repeated fluctuations in LPG prices have significantly increased their operating expenses, leaving them with little choice but to pass on the additional costs to customers. Some eateries have attempted to absorb the impact by reducing the size of their bread portions, but owners claim the measure has failed to provide meaningful relief.

A hotel owner in Saddar, Saifullah, said the price of LPG has been fluctuating between Rs550 and Rs600 per kilogram, making it increasingly difficult for small restaurants to manage their daily expenses.

He said hotel operators had reduced the weight of dough portions, commonly known as pera, from 140 grams to 120 grams in an attempt to control costs. However, the move has triggered complaints from customers, who argue that they are paying the same price for smaller portions.

Another hotel owner Ateequllah said, the reduction in bread size has not been sufficient to offset the rising cost of fuel and other essential inputs. They say their profit margins have virtually disappeared, while maintaining existing prices has become increasingly difficult.

Restaurant operators have now indicated that they may further increase the prices of roti and other food items if LPG prices continue to rise.

“We are finding it increasingly difficult to run our businesses under these conditions. Sometimes LPG is available at Rs550 and sometimes at Rs600. How can we manage our expenses?” a hotel owner said, urging the government to take immediate notice of the situation.

The impact is equally visible among consumers, particularly daily wage earners and lower-income households who depend on roadside hotels and small eateries for affordable meals.

Customers complain that food prices are changing frequently, making it difficult to keep track of daily expenses. They say even basic food items such as roti and curry are becoming increasingly expensive, further squeezing household budgets.

The situation highlights how fluctuations in fuel prices are translating into higher everyday food costs, particularly for small businesses operating on narrow profit margins.

Consumers, meanwhile, fear that another round of price increases by hotels and restaurants will make affordable meals even harder to access, while business owners insist that government intervention is necessary to prevent further pressure on both sides.