Ugandans will pay more for bread from Monday, 2 November, after bakers announced new prices, citing rising production and transportation costs.
The price increases are being driven by the rising cost of key ingredients, particularly wheat flour and yeast, as well as diesel used to transport raw materials and distribute finished products.
Under the new prices announced by the Uganda Bakers Association, a 1-kilogramme loaf will increase from Shs5,000 to Shs5,500 at factory level. Consumers buying from retail shops are expected to pay between Shs6,000 and Shs6,500.
A 500-gramme loaf will also increase from Shs2,500 to Shs3,000 at the factory, with the recommended retail price rising to between Shs3,300 and Shs3,500.
The association says the adjustments have become necessary because bakeries are struggling to absorb the increasing cost of production while maintaining their existing prices.
Speaking at a press conference at Ntake Bakery in Nalukolongo, the association’s chairperson, Dr Gaster Lule Ntakke, said members agreed to revise prices after reviewing the rising costs facing the industry at a general meeting.
Ntakke explained that bakers had maintained the old prices for as long as possible because they understood the financial challenges facing consumers. However, the continued increase in the cost of ingredients and transportation had made it difficult for manufacturers to continue producing bread at the previous prices.
He said wheat flour, yeast and diesel were among the major expenses pushing up production costs, leaving bakeries with little room to absorb further increases without affecting their businesses.
The new prices are expected to put additional pressure on household budgets, particularly for families that rely on bread as part of their daily meals.
Ntakke appealed to consumers to understand the decision, saying the adjustments were necessary to keep bakeries operating and maintain the quality of bread supplied to the market.
