Nigerian Bakers to increase bread, biscuits price by 30%

The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN) says prices of bread and biscuits will increase by 30 percent to cushion the impact of the rising cost of production.

The association reached the resolution at the end of its national executive council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

In 2020, AMBCN had hinted at a 50 percent increase in the price of bread citing the surging cost of raw materials and COVID-19 impact.

While the various interventions by the government have seen a ramp-up in the local production of raw materials such as wheat and sugar, this is still short of demand in the country.

In a statement released by its National President, Mansur Umar, after a National Executive Council meeting Abuja, the association explained the adjustment in price was as a result of the sudden increase in the costs of production as well as prices of sugar, butter, yeast, and flour.

“After considering the impact of the skyrocketing prices of baking ingredients/materials, for the survival of our noble business, which is presently bleeding, the association came to the conclusion to adjust our prices by 30 percent.”

The association called on the Federal Government to intervene and reverse the high tariff regime imposed by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and streamline regulation by allowing only NAFDAC to regulate bakers. The association also kicked against the incessant increase in the price of flour as it is forcing its members to close their businesses.

“The incessant increase of prices of flour and other baking materials is responsible for the decision. In the last six months, one truck of flour that we used to buy at less than N6m is now N9m,” the statement read in part