The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCON) expressed concern about the increasing cost of baking materials in Nigeria. Members of the association spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) individually in Abuja, highlighting worries over rising prices of flour, sugar, yeast, and other baking supplies.
They feared that these escalating costs could force many bakeries to shut down, putting the industry at risk. The 15% increase in bread prices due to production expenses, linked to the removal of fuel subsidies and the unified foreign exchange window, had already impacted businesses in the FCT.
Ms. Peace Izeduwa, Manager of Nextar Bakery, noted that the recent price surge in raw materials was not easy for bakery owners to absorb, especially given the inability to raise product prices at the same rate. AMBCON, on July 24, had announced a 15% bread price hike due to the economic realities affecting production costs.
The National President and National Secretary of AMBCON, Mr. Mansur Umar and Jude Okafor, respectively, highlighted the negative impact of current economic conditions on bakers.
Ishaq Abdulrahman, Chairman of FCT Master Bakers, urged bakers to persevere despite the challenges and emphasized the sector’s importance as a significant employer. Uche Ubani, a baker, revealed that the landing price of Prime Flour from the company stood at N38,500 as of August 13, and distributors added their own margins, potentially leading to prices around N39,000 to N40,000 per bag. He called on the government to intervene to support the industry’s survival.
The AMBCON members collectively sought government assistance to address the rising costs and safeguard the baking industry, an essential part of Nigeria’s economy and employment landscape.
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