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Baker’s Inn, a bakery company in Zimbabwe, has reduced the price of bread from US$1.10 to US$1. The price of bread went up early this year as a response to the Value Added Tax (VAT) charges introduced in the 2024 national budget. However, the government later exempted basic food items, including bread, from VAT to ease the concerns of consumers. Baker’s Inn believes that this price reduction will have a positive impact on Zimbabwean families by freeing up their limited resources, the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/bakers-inn-reduces-bread-price/">Chronicle</a> reported citing the baker’s statement. Said Baker’s Inn:
<blockquote>
Effective immediately, a standard loaf of Baker’s Inn bread now costs just $1-a 10% drop from the previous $1.10. This seemingly small change is a giant leap for Zimbabwean families, freeing up precious resources.
Bread is a symbol of sustenance, a staple of every kitchen, a comfort on the table and Baker’s Inn Bakery has ensured that every household can continue to enjoy its delicious taste.
This move by Baker’s Inn resonates deeply with consumers facing economic hardship. Recognising this struggle, Baker’s Inn has chosen to be more than just a bakery, it has become a champion for Zimbabwean families. This is not the first time the company has stepped up to the plate. In 2023, they initiated a similar price reduction, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to supporting their customers during tough times.
</blockquote>
Baker’s Inn wants to encourage companies to prioritise the needs of their communities. They believe that compassion and collaboration are essential in overcoming challenges, especially during times of hardship.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Pindula News

Baker's Inn Has Reduced Bread Price Effective Immediately

The price of bread has gone up again by 20% from last month following a raft of new taxes introduced by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Mthuli Ncube.
The price of bread is now $US1.20, up from US$1.00 just a fortnight ago.
Retailers increased the bread prices early this month to between US$1.10 and US$1.20 but reverted to the old price a few days later.
However, the price of bread has gone up again to US$1.20 and between $10 000 and $11 000 in some major supermarkets in Harare.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/news/article/200022070/ncubes-taxes-push-bread-prices-up">The Standard</a>, Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president Denford Mutashu attributed the increases to movements in the exchange rate. Said Mutashu:
<blockquote>
The increase is on the supply side which has captured the movement of the exchange rate both on the official and unofficial markets.
</blockquote>
Some tuckshops are selling bread at US$1.20 while some traders in high-density suburbs are charging US$1.10 for a loaf of bread.
Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) president Tafadzwa Musarara told The Standard:
<blockquote>
We have not increased the price of wheat. You will have to talk to the National Bakers’ Association of Zimbabwe (NBAZ) to understand why the price of bread has gone up.
</blockquote>
NBAZ president Dennis Zinyama attributed the price increases to the new taxes introduced by the Treasury. He said:
<blockquote>
Previously, when bread was zero-rated as a taxable supply, bread manufacturers could claim, from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, input tax charged on production and distribution costs.
Bread manufacturers were, therefore, not factoring these costs into the pricing of bread.
In the new Finance Act, bread has been changed to an exempt supply status, implying that input tax is no longer claimable.
Consequently, manufacturers are compelled to incorporate the tax portion into the cost of production and distribution.
</blockquote>
The price increase comes as the Government, which is the biggest employer in the country, reduced civil servants’ earnings by taxing their US$300 allowances that have been converted to taxable salaries.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bread Price Goes Up, Again

Baker’s Inn Bakery has reduced the price of bread in response to the strengthening of the Zimbabwe dollar.
The new price of bread has been pegged at ZWL$5 800 wholesale and ZWL$6 400 retail.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/bakers-inn-slashes-bread-prices/">The Herald</a>, Baker’s Inn’s chief operating officer Benjamin Mavros commended the Government in its efforts to stabilise the market. He said:
<blockquote>
We have seen the Government’s notable efforts to combat inflation and in support of this, we have reduced the price of bread as a way to hold our local currency.
Bread is a basic commodity and should thus be affordable and available to everybody.
Baker’s Inn values its customers nationwide and that is why the new price of bread will be experienced across the entire country, from Beitbridge to Gokwe to Victoria Falls.
We expect our customers to be very excited by this reduction and as a result, we are expecting to see volume growth.
</blockquote>
A few weeks ago, following the sharp depreciation of the Zimbabwe dollar, some bread manufacturers were selling a loaf of bread for more than ZWL$10 000.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Baker’s Inn Slashes Price Of Bread

The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Anxious_Masuka">Anxious Masuka</a> has said the price of bread will inevitably fall as wheat harvesting intensifies, <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/bread-prices-set-to-fall">The Sunday Mail</a> reported.
Due to shortages of wheat, the retail price of bread shot up earlier this year to about US$1.30.
Authorities say the country expects <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/wheat-harvesting-starts-in-zimbabwe/">a record 380 000 tonnes of wheat</a> against a national requirement of 360 000 tonnes.
Addressing journalists on Friday, 30 September 2022, Minister Masuka said:
<blockquote>
To cushion consumers with affordable flour and bread, the price of wheat to millers by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) will be reduced by 4,4 percent from US$680 per metric tonne to US$650 per metric tonne, payable in the ratio of US$33:$67 (33 percent payable in US dollars and 67 percent in local currency).
The price also takes into consideration macroeconomic fundamentals and the likely impact of the floor price on the exchange rate, and the price of commodities such as flour and bread.
With the bumper harvest that has a surplus to our local requirement, it means we are going to export some of our soft wheat in return for the 30 percent hard wheat, which is a smart way of doing business because we will not need foreign currency to import.
What this means is, once we have enough flour at a reduced price as tabled by the Government, the flour price and bread price will eventually drop.
</blockquote>
He said wheat and wheat flour imports will be suspended as the country anticipates self-sufficiency in domestic requirements.
Masuka also announced prices of wheat pegged in US dollars with an ordinary grade of wheat slated at US$620 per tonne while the premium grade is US$682.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Agriculture Minister Says Bread Prices Will Eventually Drop

A bread price increase is looming as the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Grain_Millers_Association_of_Zimbabwe">Grain Millers Association (GMAZ)</a> has said the price of bread flour has gone up by an aggregate of 10%. In a statement seen by Pindula News, millers said the increase takes into account exchange rate depreciation, and fuel price increase among others. We present the statement below:
<blockquote>
<h2>PRESS STATEMENT ON THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE PRICE OF BREAD FLOUR</h2>
The milling industry continues to face serious inflationary headwinds which include:
1. The finance cost occasioned by the increase of interest rates from100% to 200% 
2. The increase of the local wheat price from GMB to millers by 08%. 
3. The interbank exchange rate has moved up by 5,5% from US$1: ZW$362,6 to US$1: ZW$382,5. 
4. The currency devaluation has severely impacted on the general operation cost. 
5. There was also an upward review of the prices of fuel.
The aggregate impact of these movements will be around 10% increase in the price of flour to bakers. However, individual millers and bakers will continue to deliberate on prices, leveraging on quantity discounts, payment terms and any other considerations.
Andrew Kunambura 
Corporate Affairs Manager
13 Bodle Avenue, Eastlea, Harare, Zimbabwe +263 8644 255 873 / +263 242 797 457 admin@grainmillers.co.zw
</blockquote>
Prices of bread have been going up recently with bakers citing depletion of wheat reserves in the country and an increase in prices of wheat imported.
The bread price, at about US$1.30, is already too high for some members of the public. An increase in prices will only make matters worse. 
This comes after the Governor of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Reserve_Bank_of_Zimbabwe">Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ)</a>, Dr <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/John_Mangudya">John Mangudya</a> last month, said the central bank expects bakers to review the prices of bread downwards. 
<h2>Pindula News</h2>

Bread Price Increase Looming As Millers Say Bread Flour Price Has Gone Up

The price of bread is expected to rise from ZWL$600 to ZWL$730 per loaf after the Government recently reviewed the price of wheat from ZWL$66 000 to ZWL$239 360 per tonne.
NewZimbabwe.com reported baking industry sources as saying the recent 363% increase in the price of wheat means bakers will need to cushion themselves by increasing the price of bread. Said the source:
<blockquote>
We are therefore increasing the price of bread flour by 26% from ZWL $397 000 to ZWL $499 500 per metric tonne.
… The interbank rate between the last price review and now has gone up by 16.4% from ZWL $311 to ZWL $362 per $1, which impacts the overall cost of wheat we import for gristing and operating costs.
</blockquote>
Small-scale retailers recently slashed the price of bread from US$1.20 to US$0.90 per loaf after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) committed to allocate funds to bakers through the forex auction.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube recently announced measures to ensure adequate maize meal and bread flour supplies. He said:
<blockquote>
There is, nevertheless, an urgent need for Government to intervene to bring stability in the price and supply of maize meal and bread flour in the economy.
Government should release 20 000 metric tonnes per month to millers for the next three months beginning in July 2022 at the import parity price calculated at the prevailing interbank rate.
Millers have indicated that they will in turn import 70,000 MT of wheat over the same period.
The wheat will be sold at an import parity price of USD680 converted into local currency equivalent at the ruling exchange rate.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/bread-set-to-cost-zwl730-industry-blames-wheat-price-hike/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Price Of Bread Set To Go Up, Industry Blames Wheat Price Hike

Zimbabwe may experience bread shortages after grain millers threatened to stop producing flour due to undersupply of wheat.
Bakers are also agitating for permission to sell bread exclusively in US dollars to ensure the viability of the industry.
NewZimbabwe.com reported sources as saying the industry has a serious backlog regarding forex payments which had risen to US$5 million.
This backlog is for flour already supplied by millers to bakers.
On 17 June, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) officials, bakers and millers met to discuss several issues but the meeting ended in a deadlock.
Bakers want to sell bread in US dollars, arguing that this will make them self-sufficient, just like fuel dealers, but the RBZ was said to be against the idea.
The RBZ is reportedly concerned that if bread was to be sold in foreign currency, it would automatically mean the country has dollarised and unions will push for US dollar salaries.
The milling and baking industry criticised their principal representative, Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) chairperson Tafadzwa Musarara for failing to convince authorities to accept their demands. Said a NewZimbabwe.com source:
<blockquote>
We met and agreed that Musarara was supposed to advise authorities that we should commence the sale of flour and bread in USD just as has been done with fuel so that we can be self-sufficient however it appears he was sweet-talked and came with nothing.
It is now two weeks since that meeting and we have had no movement, we have secured 20 000 tonnes of wheat which is already in the country and can only be released once payment is made.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/bread-shortage-looms-as-millers-threaten-halt-flour-production-bakers-also-want-to-sell-in-us/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Bakers Want To Sell Bread In US Dollars

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has attributed the recent bread price increase to rising inflation, which jumped to 131.7% in May, from 96.4% recorded in April.
On Saturday, retailers hiked the price of bread to ZWL$640 or US$2.10 from ZWL$450.
CZR president Denford Mutashu said there is a need for both the public and private sectors to increase salaries as the majority of workers can no longer afford basic foodstuffs such as bread. Said Mutashu:
<blockquote>
This has been caused by the unrelenting parallel market rate. It has caused pressure on the cost of doing business.
The general public is no longer affording the basic commodities.
There is now a need for the private and public sectors to raise salaries as workers cannot go into a supermarket and come out with a basket of all the basic commodities.
</blockquote>
Progressive and Patriotic Citizens of Zimbabwe (PAPCOZ), a pressure group aligned with ZANU PF, urged the Government to intervene and stop the price hikes. It said:
<blockquote>
The citizens and consumers of Zimbabwe under PAPCOZ note with grave concern the appalling and unjustified increase in commodity prices.
We shall also push for the seizure of licenses of those businesses that are found on the wrong side of the law.
</blockquote>
Reports indicate that some bakeries are refusing to sell bread in Zimbabwe dollars due to a lack of confidence in the local currency.
During the GNU era, from 2009 to 2013, bread was retailing at less than US$1 while a substandard loaf of bread was being sold for just US$0.50.
<h4>More: <a href="https://thestandard.newsday.co.zw/2022/06/05/price-of-bread-skyrockets-again/">The Standard</a></h4>

Retailers Urge Govt, Private Sector To Review Salaries As Prices Soar

Some bakeries are reportedly demanding payment in United States dollars only, leading to an “artificial” shortage of bread in some parts of the country.
Zimbabwe’s major bakeries, Lobel’s Bread and Bakers Inn on Saturday 4 June, hiked the price of bread from less than $500 to $636 per loaf.
Tuckshop owners in Harare on Friday told NewsDay that they were failing to get enough bread supplies from bakeries, who only want foreign currency for bread orders.
Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) national chairman Tafadzwa Musarara, however, said there is no reason for the country to experience bread shortages as there is adequate wheat in the country.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president Denford Mutashu urged members of the public to shun shops demanding only US dollars for bread. Mutashu said:
<blockquote>
The retail sector and consumers have no capacity to pay in US$ for bread when they earn local currency. Bread should continue to be accessible in all currencies.
CZR is engaging GMAZ and the National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe (NBAZ) over the issue.
Bread is a key basic commodity and once it is sold in US$ for whatever reason, the whole economy will follow suit and dollarise.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, National Association of Consumer Rights spokesperson Effie Ncube said that it’s natural for bakeries to demand foreign currency since Government departments are also charging for services in US dollars. He said:
<blockquote>
The bakeries are now following the example of the government which has allowed the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) to charge examination fees in US$.
It is not surprising that some bakeries are now demanding US$ for bread.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/06/bread-in-short-supply-as-bakeries-demand-us/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Price Of Bread Goes Up As Bakeries Demand US Dollars

The prices of maize and bread flour have gone up by 15 per cent with immediate effect due to the ongoing war in Eastern Europe, with both Russia and Ukraine among the top five wheat exporters globally.
In a statement on Thursday, Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) chairman, Tafadzwa Musarara, warned the prices could increase further, due to supply chain disruptions. He said:
<blockquote>
The Grain Marketing Board had increased the cost of maize from $43 000 to $50 000 per metric tonne, necessitating an upward review in mealie-meal prices.
Coupled with this, fuel prices have also surged following the play of geo-politics in the Balkan region, in particular the Russia-Ukraine conflict, adding substantially to operating costs.
Maize-meal retail price for 10kg Roller Meal will increase by 15 per cent from $955 to $1 099.
Bread flour will move up by 14.74 per cent from $119 000 to $136 544 per metric tonne.
</blockquote>
Musarara said the landing price for wheat has increased by US$200 from US$475 to $675 per metric tonne.
The bread and mealie meal prices are expected to go up soon in response to the rise in the prices of wheat and maize.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-mealie-meal-bread-flour-prices-go-up">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

Grain Millers Increase Wheat, Maize Prices

Proton Bakers opened a new depot located at Prospect Industrial Park in Harare last Friday as it continues to expand its market share and customer experience.
The family-owned bakery, which is headquartered in Marondera, provide a wide range of products including bread, confectionery, cookies and sponge cake mix.
Proton Bakers managing director, Gerry Tselentis, expressed gratitude to employees for the growth of the business. Said Tselentis:
<blockquote>
The success that we have had would not have been possible without a team Proton effort.
I would like to thank everyone involved for remaining focused over the years and as they say the proof is in the pudding.
Over time we have progressed and had success during the years and I would like to ask all workers to continue to be focused, disciplined, respectful and have integrity and that is the Proton culture.
These three words form the cornerstone of this company.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://thestandard.newsday.co.zw/2022/02/27/proton-opens-new-depot/">The Standard</a></h4>

Proton Bakers Opens New Depot

The price of flour has increased by 6.5% from $112 000 to $119 000 per metric tonne thereby triggering a rise in the price of bread by 15% from $175 to $210.
In a statement on Tuesday, Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) chairman Tafadzwa Musarara said the new flour prices were effective from 9 January 2022.
Musarara said the increase in the price of flour was caused by the depreciating local currency against the US dollar, increases in the price of fuel, unreliable power supplies, among other factors. He said:
<blockquote>
The price movement has been occasioned by the upward movement rate on the auction since our last review, increase in fuel, maintenance and running costs, increases in the use of substitute\alternative sources of power due to intermittent ZESA supplies, increases in costs of labour, and increases in the price of imported blending wheat.
</blockquote>
Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) acting director Rosemary Mpofu lamented the recent hike in the price of bread, saying the 15% hike was unjustified. She said:
<blockquote>
We are saying that the 15% increase in bread prices is too high. At the beginning of this year, people were complaining about increases in the price of stationery, uniforms and school fees.
The three major bakers in the country, Bakers Inn, Proton and Lobels all increased bread prices, but their overheads are not the same. 
Prices should show that suppliers are competing. What it means is that they are not competing and they do not care about consumers.
… Why is it that their pricing is following the black market rate when they get United States dollars at a cheaper rate?
The price of USD$1 at the black market is $210, and therefore using the RBZ exchange rates, bread should cost at least $150, yet it has gone up to $210 per loaf.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/01/bread-price-up-15/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Bread Price Hike Unjustified, Says Consumer Council Of Zimbabwe

Bakers have said a recent spike in the prices of bread is attributed to the recent increase in utility charges and fuel prices which have a direct impact on production and distribution costs.
Chronicle conducted <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/12/25/bread-price-hiked-by-13-8-consumers-robbed-of-christmas/">a snap survey</a> which observed that retailers in Bulawayo have increased the price of a standard loaf from $88 to $94.
National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe (NBAZ) president Mr. Dennis Wallah told Chronicle that there was a direct relationship between production and distribution costs and utility charges and fuel price. Wallah said:
<blockquote>Its not a hidden fact that if you look at the price of fuel it went up, so obviously distribution cost goes up.
And also utilities have moved astronomically high obviously all these factors result in the cost of product spiraling upwards.</blockquote>
Of late, utility charges have risen significantly and in some instances by margins above 300 percent in cases such as water bills.
In addition, since the beginning of the year, the price of fuel has been increased twice with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) attributing the upward review of fuel price to a general rise in prices of fuel on the International market.
In a separate interview, the National Consumer Rights Association spokesperson Mr. Effie Ncube said from a consumer perspective there is no justification in increasing the price of bread. He said:
<blockquote>From a consumer standpoint, there is absolutely no justification whatsoever for the rise on the price of bread.
Fuel and other utilities dominate the price of services and goods downstream, but there is no justification to the mark-ups that they did even taking that into account.
They need to develop to a business model that allows them as businesses to function and prosper without constantly rising prices like what they are doing.
There still has no justification for the mark-up rates that they are putting in order to respond to changes in the supply chain.</blockquote>
Ncube’s remarks echo those of the government that has often accused some businesses of profiteering at the expense of the general populace.
In response, businesses have been arguing that their prices are reasonable considering the environment they are operating in adding that they risk closure if they fail to adjust their prices accordingly.
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/just-in-bread-price-up-6-8-percent/">Chronicle</a>

Bread Prices Go Up

Retailers and consumers said they were surprised by the latest 13,8 per cent hike in the price of bread effected by suppliers on Wednesday.
Bakers increased the retail price of bread this week to $82 from $72 and consumers feel the move is not justified.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president, Denford Mutashu, said they were caught off-guard by the latest increase but suggested that the price hike could be linked to the rising cost of production. He said:
<blockquote>We (retailers) were caught off-guard by the increase in the price of bread but may point to the continued increase in rates and utility charges that have not respected stability in the economy brought about by the forex auction system.
The increases in the cost of production may have piled pressure on bakers. It’s difficult to hold price as a business when costs increase.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, national Consumer Rights Association spokesperson, Effie Ncube, said poor and low-income households have been robbed of celebrating Christmas and New Year.
He said the price hike has no business justification whatsoever and Government must step in and prevent the “punitive and unjustifiable bread price hike”.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/bread-price-up-138/#:~:text=THE%20price%20of%20a%20standard,the%20move%20is%20not%20justified.&amp;text=%E2%80%9CThe%20increases%20in%20the%20cost,a%20business%20when%20costs%20increase.%E2%80%9D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

Bread Price Hiked By 13.8%; Consumers Robbed Of Christmas

Wheat milliers have expressed concern over the depreciating Zimbabwe dollar which they say is now making it difficult for them to operate. As a result, they are considering a hike in the price of flour and consequently an increase in the price of bread.
A miller who is a member of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ), told NewZimbabwe.com that the foreign currency auction-rate has coincided with a 20 per cent reduction in the price of flour, a development that has increased production costs. The miller, who requested anonymity, was quoted as having said:
<blockquote>I think you are aware of the fact that since the introduction of the Foreign Exchange Auction Trading system on 17, June 2020, the price of flour related products had been stagnant, and in fact, you saw the reduction in the price of bread which went down by almost 20%.
Now that the official rate (auction forex exchange rate) has been moving upwards and now by 34% to be precise, we are finding it difficult to operate. In fact, we are now subdued and cannot absorb the production costs.</blockquote>
The miller added that prices of flour will likely up by 26% and this could also result in bread price going up by 35%.
He said they spoke spoken to GMAZ chairman Tafadzwa Musarara for price adjustments to be effected before 31st of July.
However, because of the planned 31 July demonstrations, the price adjustments were shelved as there was concern that the government would accuse millers fuelling the demonstrations.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/bread-flour-price-to-go-up-by-34/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Bread Price Hike Looming As Zimbabwe Dollar Plummets

The price of bread has escalated to $45 thereby worsening the living standards of the general populace in Zimbabwe.
This comes when the coronavirus-induced lockdown has locked most Zimbabweans away from their sources of income.
Resultantly, some have resorted to finding cheaper foods including sweet potatoes (mbambaira/imbambaila) as alternatives to regular diets.
Some have even reduced the number of meals to two or one while some go for a day without food in the worst-case scenarios.
The government has been criticised for failing to fulfil its pledge to assist the most vulnerable families and groups during the lockdown.
The Minister of Finance, Professor Mthuli Ncube had announced that the government set aside some money which would see vulnerable families receiving $200 each.
Meanwhile, with the rate at which the local currency is losing value, the money will be useless by the time it will reach the intended beneficiary.
As of 3 June 2020, one <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/06/04/official-bank-rates-black-market-exchange-rates-yesterday-3-june-2020/">United States dollar traded for about $76 (electronic) or $55.4 (cash)</a> on the parallel market which means the $200 cushion is equal to US$3.50 or less.
To make matters worse, <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/06/04/businesses-reject-the-rtgs-dollar/">local businesses are reportedly rejecting the local currency</a> which they say is not a store of value.

The Price Of Bread Escalates

The price of the bread has shot up for the first time this year by about 17 per cent from $18 to $21 for a standard loaf.
The price increase came into effect over the weekend and by Monday, most of the large-scale retailers were already selling a loaf for between $20 and $21.
National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe president, Dennis Wallah, said flour is not subsidised hence market forces were at play. He said:
<blockquote>The price of bread has been stable from November to date. We don’t have subsidised flour available hence the market forces are now at play.</blockquote>
Consumer Rights Association spokesperson, Effie Ncube, said the latest hike in the price of bread means that most families are now food insecure as they can no longer afford basic foodstuffs.
Ncube suggested that there could be collusion among bakers as the price goes up almost at the same time and by the same margin.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/bread-price-up-17/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

Price Of Bread Goes Up, Bakers Cite Rising Production Costs

Vice President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kembo_Mohadi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kembo Mohadi</a> said the government is focusing on the establishment of “community bakeries” across the country to make bread affordable while at the same time economically empowering community members.
Speaking at the launch of the Community Resilience Bakeries Programme at Waterfalls Incubation Centre on Thursday, Mohadi said:
<blockquote>… the Government has embarked on a national programme of supporting the establishment of community-based bakeries, which offer affordable bread to our communities.
Not only are these bakeries closer to our people, they are run by community members, who will also generate income from these projects.</blockquote>
The launch comes at a time when established bakeries have hiked the retail price of bread from about $14 to around $18 per standard loaf.
Also present at the launch were Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Monica_Mutsvangwa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Monica Mutsvangwa</a>, in her capacity as acting Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, provincial affairs ministers and ZANU PF<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zanu-PF_Politiburo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Politburo</a> members.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/community-bakeries-to-reduce-bread-prices-vp-mohadi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

Govt Pins Hope On Community Bakeries

Consumer Rights Association spokesperson Effie Ncube said the recent 60 per cent hike in the price of bread is cause for concern as most school children are spending the whole without food. Said Ncube:
<blockquote>We are very much concerned about the ever-increasing cost of basic commodities, like bread that has been priced beyond the reach of the majority of the people of Zimbabwe.
As a result, in the morning every day where you are supposed to have bread on the table, people are not affording that, so children are going to school without bread; spending the whole day without food.</blockquote>
The price of bread was raised from $9.50 to $15.75 by most major retail outlets in the country’s major urban centres, though it remains in short supply.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStats) said that the Poverty Datum Line (PDL) for a family of five as at the end of August was at $1 826.99 while a majority of middle-income earners were earning just above $1 000.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/concern-over-bread-price/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

"Bread Now Beyond The Reach Of Majority Of Zimbabweans"

The price of bread has been hiked to RTGS$15.75 from $9.50. Though the new bread price is slightly above US$1.00 at the interbank market rate, in real terms it is staggering considering that less than a year ago a loaf of bread was priced at less than RTGS$0.90. Moreover, the rise in the salaries of the majority of workers does not come close to matching the price increases.
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PICTURE: The New Price Of A Loaf Of Bread

Bakers have denied social media rumours that the shortage of bread is artificial and that bakers intend to hike the price to $15.30 per loaf.
National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe president Dennis Wallah claimed that bread has disappeared from shops shelves due to floor shortages. He said:
<blockquote>Bread production is dwindling due to the unavailability of flour and bakeries are not able to supply in shops and supermarkets.
Bread shortage is already taking place and this is not a deliberate move from the bread industry to create a shortage in order to increase prices.</blockquote>
Minister of Industry and Commerce <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mangaliso_Ndlovu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mangaliso Ndlovu</a> said there is a shortage of foreign currency to import the wheat and this has resulted in the shortage of bread. Ndlovu, however, said that the government is working to rectify the problem.
<a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/bread-solution-in-sight-government/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">More: H-Metro</a>

Bakers Refutes Reports Of Imminent Bread Price Hike

ZTN news has reported that bread may just come back to our shelves at a hefty price of $15 per loaf. This came to light in an article in thich the publication wrote;
<blockquote>BREAD has disappeared from the shelves in Zimbabwe’s shops and supermarkets as bakers move to hike the price by 50 percent, from ZWL$10 to about ZWL$15, on the back of an increase in operating costs</blockquote>
Bread has been scarce of late and <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/10/08/bread-disappears-from-shop-shelves-again/">speculation is still rife that producers want to hike</a> the prices hence the artificial shortage creation.
More: <a href="https://ztn.co.zw/stream/2019/10/bread-prices-to-go-up/">ZTN</a>

Bread Prices Maybe Hiked To $15 Per Loaf - Report

Zimbabwe is experiencing bread shortages for the umpteenth time this year. In the past, the scarcity was blamed on flour shortages as the country has become a net importer of wheat over the past two decades.
Online vendors, Fresh In A Box (FIAB) apologised to their customers for failing to deliver bread. FIAB said in a statement:
<blockquote>We could not find any bread delivery trucks to chase and our supplier just isn’t delivering. So if you ordered Bread from us, please bear with us and we will make sure we deliver when it becomes available. Sorry guys. Zim happens…</blockquote>
Bread now costs ZWL$9.50 per loaf on the formal market with some street vendors selling it for ZWL$7.50 but strictly on cash.
There are reports that bakers are seeking to hike the price of bread to ZWL$14.00 in order to factor costs driven by things like fuel and electricity.
<h4>More: <a href="https://zimpricecheck.com/news/bread-shortages-strike-again/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=bread-shortages-strike-again" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zim Price Check</a></h4>

Bread Disappears From Shop Shelves, Again

The government is closely monitoring the use of subsidised bread-making flour availed to millers and bakers to prevent bread price hikes.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/07/10/bakeries-told-to-avoid-making-biscuits-prioritise-bread/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">There are some bakeries that are reportedly using subsidised flour meant for bread to produce biscuits, cakes, and other confectionaries.</a>
Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) spokesperson, Garikai Chaunza, said:
<blockquote>We (millers) are currently enjoying a subsidy of $2 300 per tonne of wheat to be exclusively dedicated for bread flour only.
This is meant to stabilise and contain bread prices for the benefit of the consumers who are the financiers of the subsidy and it is our obligation that the flour must go to all bakeries, big and small who are into genuine bread baking and as an association, we have always been on guard.</blockquote>
However, the National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe has denied claims that its members are creating artificial shortages of bread as an excuse to hike prices.
Association president Dennis Wallah argued that there are several factors other than the price of flour that pushes up the price of bread. He said:
<blockquote>There are still challenges in terms of accessing bread flour. Find out with millers if they have flour enough for everyone. Kindly come and check our silos and see if we have enough flour stocks.
Of course, there are other factors necessitating bread price hikes. Look at fuel; it is going up almost on a weekly basis.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/07/22/full-text-econet-explains-saturday-network-failure-warns-of-drastic-measures-to-ensure-sustainability/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">We have electricity challenges so if bakers are running for 14 hours on generators do you think bread prices will remain low?</a></blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/09/govt-tightens-screws-on-bread-prices/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Bakers Defend Bread Price Increases

The price of bread was on Tuesday morning raised from $7.00 to $9.70, a hike of about 48 per cent.
The Bakers Association of Zimbabwe did not reveal the reason behind the latest round of increase.
The fall in the value of the Zimbabwean dollar over the past few weeks has been cited as the major catalyst as this has driven cost pressures on imported wheat.
The Zimbabwe Dollars was $2.50 to the US$ when it was reincarnated as the RTGS Dollar in February this year but has fallen to $15.00 to the US$.
Despite being very expensive for most households in Zimbabwe, bread remains in short supply with major retail outlets out of stock for the greater part of the day.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.263chat.com/bread-price-up-as-zim-dollar-tumbles/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">263Chat</a></h4>

Zimbabwe Dollar Tumble Pushes Up Price Of Bread

The shortage of bread in the country has resulted in people spending hours queue to buy just a loaf of bread. However, a few meters away from the queue (in Marondera) others buy dozens of loaves for resale.
The display of the bread also leaves a lot to be desired.
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EAtZQlAXYAIUPVX?format=jpg&amp;name=small"/>
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EAtZQlAWsAAS2vZ?format=jpg&amp;name=small"/>

PICTURE: Illegal Bread Dealers Splash Loaves By The Roadside

Bakers have warned that if the current power cuts continue indefinitely, they may be forced to suspend all operations.
The National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe (NBAZ) said that it was not possible for the industry to run on generators all the time.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily News, NBAZ president Dennis Wallah said:
<blockquote>The issue is not a matter of whether they have closed or not but of operating hours.
If there is flour but no electricity, there will be no bread. Now we understand that most bakeries have had to adjust the working times of their bakery staff members who come in at 10 pm when electricity is back for them to bake bread.
The power cuts have drastically reduced the working time to only four or five hours a day and it is economically unrealistic to operate a generator the whole day, considering the size of the machines to be used.</blockquote>
Bread has been in short supply over the past several days with some major retail chains going for days without receiving any supplies at all.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2019/07/26/bakers-seek-load-shedding-exemptions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Daily News</a></h4>

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