Scarcity of one of Nigeria’s most popular staple foods, bread, has hit Kaduna, Katsina, and Kano States, creating a crisis reminiscent of fuel shortages and making bread as scarce as gold.
Correspondents from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the popular staple is not only hard to find but its prices have also surged dramatically.
As bread becomes increasingly scarce, residents are being forced to turn to other, often more expensive, alternatives such as noodles, millet porridge, bean cake, and bread and beans.
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The price of bread has increased by 20 to 40 percent, making it unaffordable for many.
Local shop owners and consumers have expressed their distress over this dire situation, calling for immediate action to rectify the problem.
One baker in Kaduna, speaking anonymously to NAN, explained, “We are not on strike, but we had to stop production on July 1, 2024.
This unfortunate situation was caused by the scarcity and high cost of wheat flour, sugar, oil, and other additives.
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In June, a 50kg bag of flour cost between N53,000 to N55,000, but it has now skyrocketed to between N67,000 to N70,000. How can we produce bread and also break even under this precarious situation?”
Bread sellers and consumers in Kaduna have also voiced their frustrations. Haidar Basiru, a tea and bread seller, shared his struggles: “I usually buy 100 loaves of bread, but due to the scarcity, I could only get 30 loaves, which have already sold out.
The bakeries are not on strike, but they cannot afford to bake due to the hike in flour and sugar prices.
This development has seriously affected our businesses as we operate in the mornings and evenings. Many of my colleagues in Kasuwan Barci have not opened today.”
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In Katsina State, the situation is similarly grim. Aliyu Idris from Funtua Local Government Area noted, “Bread prices have doubled. A loaf that used to sell for N200 now costs N400. This affects all sizes of bread, and tea sellers and shop owners are struggling to get supplies for their customers.”
Kano State residents echo these concerns. Haruna Salisu reported, “A loaf of bread that used to sell for N600 now costs N800, and a loaf of sliced bread that sold for N1,200 now sells for N1,600.”
As the bread crisis continues, residents of Kaduna, Katsina, and Kano States are hopeful for swift intervention to stabilize bread supply and prices, restoring a key staple to their daily lives.
NAN