*Bemoan high production cost, seek govt intervention
The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCON) has announced plans to increase prices of loaves of bread across the country by 15 per cent effective from July 24.
This follows a resolution reached by the national executive council of the association during a virtual meeting in the week.
The bakers are hinging the planned increase on the recent rise in the prices of flour, sugar, yeast and other key inputs for baking bread.
They added that it was compelled by the need to continue to produce standard baked products which follow NAFDAC regulation to guarantee the health of Nigerians
According to a statement jointly signed by the National President,
Mansur Umar and National Secretary, Jude Okafor, the association says this is owing to the country’s current economic realities which are impacting negatively on bakers’ production costs.
The association, however, called on the government to intervene urgently and save the industry from total collapse.
It appreciated Nigerians for their understanding and cooperation as they grapple with the extra burden on them with the imminent increase while promising to revert the price if there were significant government interventions.
Part of the statement read, “There are recent general increases on our factors of production including but not limited to additional N1.2 million on a truck of flour (N2,000 per bag), N3.6 million on a truck of sugar (N6,000 per bag), yeast additional N2,000 per carton, fuel from N205 to N550, and diesel N650 to N700 (depending on the part of the country) among others.
“Effective from 24th July, 2023 as an interim measure, all members of the AMBCN are hereby advised to adjust their prices by 15 per cent in consonance with the now heavily increased cost of factors of production across board.
“We can only produce standard baked products following NAFDAC regulation as we cannot sacrifice the health of our fellow countrymen and women on the altar of breaking even point by resorting to unhealthy practices,” the statement said.
