A severe shortage of bread, a staple food for many Nigerians, has struck Kaduna, Katsina, and Kano states, leaving residents grappling with soaring prices and limited availability.
This crisis has been exacerbated by a halt in production by local bakeries, attributing their decision to the skyrocketing costs of essential ingredients like wheat flour, sugar, and cooking oil.
In Kaduna, Katsina, and Kano, bread has become increasingly difficult to procure, with prices surging by 20 to 40 percent.
Many residents, unable to afford the now exorbitant prices, have turned to alternative, albeit less affordable, food options such as noodles, millet porridge, and bean cake.
Speaking from Kaduna, a distressed baker lamented, “It is not a strike; we’ve had to cease production since July 1st due to the scarcity and soaring costs of essential supplies. For instance, the price of a 50kg bag of flour has escalated from N53,000-N55,000 to between N67,000-N70,000 in just a few weeks.”
The scarcity has profoundly impacted local businesses and daily life. Haidar Basiru, a tea and bread seller in Kaduna, expressed his frustration, stating, “Normally, I purchase 100 loaves of bread, but now I can only manage to secure 30, which sell out quickly. Many of my fellow vendors haven’t opened their shops today due to the bread shortage.”
Mrs. Kafayat Sadiq, a provisions seller, shared her plight, “Since Tuesday, I haven’t been able to restock bread in my shop. My supplier cited the prohibitive cost of flour as the reason.”
In Kano State, similar scenes unfold with residents witnessing a drastic increase in bread prices. Abdullahi Muhammad, a concerned resident, recounted, “I went to buy bread for breakfast, but it was unavailable. I had to opt for spaghetti for my children instead.”
The situation has prompted urgent appeals from both consumers and retailers for swift intervention to alleviate the crisis. With bread prices escalating and supplies dwindling, many fear prolonged hardships if the situation persists.
Government officials and stakeholders are being urged to address the root causes of bread scarcity and implement measures to stabilize prices and ensure adequate supply.
The economic impact of this crisis extends beyond mere inconvenience, affecting daily nutrition and livelihoods across the affected states.
As communities in Kaduna, Katsina, and Kano grapple with this unprecedented bread scarcity, there is a growing sense of urgency for sustainable solutions to safeguard food security and mitigate the financial strain on residents already burdened by economic challenges.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
