Residents of Kogi will now pay higher prices for bread as bakers have ended their four-day strike and raised the prices of the essential commodity in the state.
The bakers in Kogi State went on strike earlier in the week to protest against the high costs of flour, sugar, and fuel, which were affecting bread production and distribution.
The strike lasted four days and has now been called off, according to Chief Gabriel Bamidele, Chairman of the Kogi Bakers Association. However, prices of bread have been slightly increased as a result of the economic challenges in the country.
The association has decided to raise the prices by N50.00 for the smaller categories/sizes of bread and by N100.00 for the larger ones. This means that bread previously sold for N100, N200, and N250 will now cost N150, N250, and N300, respectively.
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The chairman further explained that the price increments were necessary due to the soaring costs of essential ingredients like flour, sugar, petrol, and engine oil. Just three months ago, a bag of flour was priced between N38,000 and N40,000, while a bag of sugar ranged from N58,000 to N60,000. However, the current prices have significantly increased, with a bag of flour now costing N58,000 and sugar priced at N85,000 per bag.
Additionally, distribution costs have risen, and the prices of engine oil cartons have surged from N35,000 to N62,000. These factors have compelled the bakers to adjust their prices in order to sustain their businesses. The chairman hopes for public understanding and cooperation during these challenging times.
The chairman also highlighted the significant increase in other operational costs, such as car tyres, which have surged from N18,000 to N40,000 per tyre. Additionally, the price of petrol ranges between N650 and N700 per litre at filling stations.
As a result, the expenses for distributing bread across the state have risen sharply, now ranging between N28,000 and N30,000, compared to the previous cost of N5,000.
The challenging economic situation in the country has impacted everyone, and bakers are no exception. During the four-day strike, the availability of bread decreased significantly, with only a few loaves seen on the shelves of some supermarkets and shops.
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