The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCON) has made a distressing announcement. Owing to a deepening crisis caused by rising ingredient costs, the association has decided to implement a significant 15% price increase on bread nationwide.
This measure, which will take effect from Monday, July 24, underscores the urgent need for attention and intervention to save an industry on the brink.
AMBCON’s decision was reached during a virtual meeting held on Tuesday, where members unanimously agreed that the current economic realities were taking a devastating toll on bakers’ production costs.
The association highlighted the substantial increases in the prices of crucial ingredients, such as flour, sugar, yeast, as well as escalating fuel expenses.
According to a joint statement signed by Mansur Umar, the national president, and Jude Okafor, the national secretary of AMBCON, the additional costs on essential inputs have become unbearable for bakers across the country.
Truckloads of flour are now burdened with an extra N1.2 million due to a staggering increase of N2,000 per bag. Similarly, sugar costs have surged by N3.6 million per truck, amounting to N6,000 per bag. Yeast has not been spared either, with an additional N2,000 per carton adding to the financial strain.
Fuel prices have skyrocketed, with gasoline rising from N205 to N550, and diesel reaching N650 to N700, depending on the region.
AMBCON emphasized that this decision was not taken lightly. Despite the impending financial burden on consumers, the association emphasized its commitment to adhering to the quality and safety standards set by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
They made it clear that compromising the health and well-being of fellow countrymen and women was not an option, even if it meant facing financial losses.
However, this price increase is intended to be an interim measure, as the association called on the government to intervene urgently and prevent the imminent collapse of the baking industry. AMBCON recognizes that the soaring costs of production threaten not only the survival of individual bakeries but also the availability of affordable bread for Nigerians.
Expressing gratitude for the understanding and cooperation of the Nigerian people, AMBCON assured consumers that if significant government interventions were put in place, they would review and possibly revert the bread prices.
The association firmly believes that without immediate action, the industry’s future remains uncertain, and access to staple baked goods may become increasingly unaffordable.
As bakers across the nation brace themselves for the upcoming price surge, it is clear that the baking industry is facing an unprecedented crisis. The announcement made by the Master Bakers Association serves as a wake-up call for stakeholders, urging them to address the underlying issues that have driven costs to such unsustainable heights.
Only with prompt intervention can the baking industry be saved from collapse, ensuring that Nigerians can continue to enjoy the essential and cherished tradition of freshly baked bread.
