Bakers Association Blame Russia/ Ukraine War For High Cost of Bread

By Akinwale Kasali

Bread, a common staple food is now out of reach of Nigerians as the price of the commodity continues to skyrocket. Consumers are at a loss on what to do, are now full of lamentations.

Following this development, the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria, PBAN, has disclosed why the cost is on the rise.

Emmanuel Onuorah, President of PBAN said the volatility of the exchange rate has affected the prices of bread in Nigeria, adding that most of the ingredients  are imported.

Onuorah lamented that the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia has impacted negatively on the production of bread, as both warring European neighbours are wheat suppliers to Nigeria.

PBAN President made this known on Arise News’ Global Business Report on Tuesday, and stressed that “Bread is a staple. Bread is supposed to be a pick-and-grab food at any location. It’s on the table for the children.

“Bread is a spiritual product, outside of being physical because it does so much for humanity. As bakers, for us in Nigeria, it’s been tough for us.

“Some of the basic materials we use in producing our bread are imported into Nigeria, that is about almost 98 per cent and that’s the truth.”

“ In a country, where you almost don’t have a strong productive base, and at that, everything is dependent on the dollar. When there is volatility in dollar-naira exchange, when (there is) FX issue where naira begins to go down against the dollar, we are in a problem.

“The kind of bread we eat in Nigeria, there is a way Nigerians want their bread, the structure of the bread.

“You know we are the highest consumers of white bread globally. When you go to other places, they take croissants, they take baguettes, and other forms of bread.

“ But, our bread (in Nigeria) comes in certain shapes. It must be sweet, it must be soft, and succulent. If you don’t produce it that way, you’re out of business.

“And this whole thing, 60 to 65 per cent of the whole thing comes from wheat, and most of our wheat comes from Ukraine, Russia, and other parts of the world,” he added.