By Milcah Tanimu

Abuja’s Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCON) has voiced deep concern about the escalating prices of baking materials within Nigeria. In discussions with the Nigerian News Agency (NAN), several AMBCON members in Abuja expressed their apprehension regarding the rising costs of crucial ingredients like flour, sugar, yeast, and others used in baking.

Ms. Peace Izeduwa, the manager of Nextar Bakery, shared her insights with NAN, revealing that the surging costs of baking materials could potentially lead to the closure of numerous bakeries. She explained that a recent 15% increase in bread prices had adversely affected bakery enterprises in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Izeduwa attributed this surge in costs to the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange window. She highlighted that essential baking materials like Mix and Bake Flour had seen a price hike from N29,500 to N33,750. Izeduwa emphasized the challenge bakery owners face in adjusting product prices to match the rapid rise in raw material costs.

The manager stressed the urgent need for government intervention to curb the soaring prices of baking materials and ensure the sustainability of the industry.

Notably, AMBCON had previously announced a 15% increase in bread prices on July 24. This decision was reached based on discussions held by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the association. The leadership of AMBCON justified the decision by pointing to the prevailing economic realities in Nigeria, which have significantly impacted production costs for bakers.

Chairman of FCT Master Bakers, Ishaq Abdulrahman, urged bakers to remain resilient and not lose hope, acknowledging the challenges many members of the industry were facing. Abdulrahman called on the government to prioritize the baking sector, which is a substantial source of employment, and take measures to address the concerns raised by AMBCON and its members.