Bread Scarcity Grips Northern Nigeria, Prices Skyrocket Amidst Shortage

Written by on July 10, 2024

A severe scarcity of bread, one of Nigeria’s staple foods, has struck Kaduna, Katsina, and Kano States, leaving residents grappling with soaring prices and limited availability akin to essential commodities like petrol or gold.

News Agency of Nigeria correspondents report that bread, previously abundant and affordable, has become increasingly rare in local markets, prompting consumers to seek alternatives such as noodles, millet porridge, and bean cakes, which are now in higher demand.

The shortage has driven up bread prices by 20 to 40 percent, exacerbating the economic strain on both consumers and small businesses. Bakers attribute the crisis to skyrocketing costs of essential ingredients like wheat flour, sugar, and oil, compounded by supply chain disruptions since July 1, 2024.

“We are not on strike, but production has halted due to exorbitant costs,” lamented a baker in Kaduna, highlighting the price surge of flour from N53,000 to N55,000 per 50kg bag in June to N67,000 to N70,000 presently. “How can we sustain production under such conditions?”

Local bread sellers and consumers in Kaduna State expressed frustration over the scarcity, which has disrupted their daily routines and livelihoods. Haidar Basiru, a tea and bread seller, revealed his daily struggle to secure sufficient loaves for customers, stating, “Most of my colleagues haven’t opened today due to the bread shortage.”

Similar sentiments were echoed in Katsina State, where residents like Aliyu Idris reported doubling bread prices, with a loaf now costing N400 compared to N200 previously. The situation has posed challenges for tea sellers and shop owners alike, struggling to meet customer demand amidst limited supplies.

In Kano State, residents affirmed the grim reality, noting a significant price hike from N600 to N800 per loaf, underscoring the widespread impact of the bread shortage across northern Nigeria.

As communities grapple with the bread crisis, calls for urgent intervention to stabilize prices and ensure adequate supply resonate among affected regions, highlighting the critical role of staple foods in daily life and economic stability.

 

 

 

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Jerry Alomatu
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