The Jamaica Flour Mills (JFM) says customers could be forced to absorb up to 50 per cent of the impending increase in the price of flour.

According to Derrick Nembhard, JFM  managing director, the impending increase in the price of flour is being influenced by a cut in the supply of wheat on the world market and the recent hikes in the price of oil.

He says the increase in grain is expected to be significant and will be a factor in a double digit hike in the price of flour.

Nembhard says he cannot yet say when the increases will take effect because of concerns about possible hoarding.

He says his company is trying to mitigate against the increases by looking at the market to see how best the prices may be stabilised.