Nigerian bakers suspends strike, hike bread price again

The Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria says it has suspended its four-day warning strike which began on Thursday July 21, 2022.

The PBAN President, Emmanuel Onuorah, said his members had resolved to increase prices of bread in order to cushion the impact of the harsh operating environment.

 He said, “We have ended the warning strike/withdrawal of services. We finished it on Monday and we have resumed business. We have begun production and selling of bread since yesterday (Monday). Master Bakers have started too. We ended it at the same time. You know it was a joint resolution from the Master Bakers and PBAN. So, we have started work.

We did increase the price of bread. We increased our bread price by 10 per cent, master bakers increased their bread price by 20 per cent. Inasmuch as we wouldn’t have loved to implement any price increase, it is the only way we can remain in business.”

According to Onuorah, despite the recent hike the bakers are still operating at a deficit, adding that members have been forced to adopt several survival strategies to remain in business.

Recall, Bread makers, under the aegis of Premium Bread makers Association of Nigeria (PBAN), will embark on four day warning strike from Thursday, 21st July, 2022, over high cost of material. 

The association president said that operating a bakery in Nigeria has become near impossible, as the incessant increase in the prices of baking materials and diesel rendered the industry comatose.

He added that members of his association comprising owners, managing directors and partners of premium bakeries in Nigeria are mostly running on huge losses and this is no longer sustainable.

“In a move to ensure the survival of the Premium breadmaking industry in Nigeria, we have decided to embark on a withdrawal of services beginning from Thursday, 21st July, 2022, for four days in the first instance, and where no intervention from the government, we shall escalate the duration of the withdrawal”, Onuorah said.

“The reasons for the withdrawal of services is as follows: Incessant increase in price of baking materials; Request Federal Government to stop charging 15 percent Wheat development levy on wheat import; Request NAFDAC to review downwards the N154,000 penalty charged bakeries on late renewal of certificates; Grant members access to grants and soft loans being given by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Minor, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) and Stoppage of multi – agencies regulation of the breadmaking industry”, said Onuorah.