A 400-Gram Bread Is Now 65 Shillings: What Are You Gonna Do?

Bread is now officially a luxury in Kenya. A 400-gram of bread is now retailing between 60 and 65 shillings from 45 to 50 shillings two months ago as the cost of living continues to eat into the already tattered pockets of emaciated Kenyans.

A 800 grams of Festive brand is now selling 100 and 110 shillings from 92 shillings. Broadways Company has however maintained its price at 50 shillings for the 400 grams loaf in an effort to attract more customers.

Given that bread is among the staple food among many Kenyans across the country, the increase in price is set to hit hard on many whose economy has already been disrupted by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Bakers have attributed the rise in the price of bread to the rise in the price of wheat. Bakers say they have no otherwise but to transfer the extra cost on consumers as they strive to remain afloat amidst hard economic times.

A tonne of wheat has risen to 34,240 shillings from 25,300 shillings last year, sparking a rally both on bakers and standard flour. The price of wheat is expected to continue rising in the coming days. Kenyans should expect more high prices.

Inflation, which is a measure of change in the cost of living, rose to 5.9 percent in March from 5.78 percent in February, according to the statistics agency.

Read More:

• Tough Economic Times Ahead As Wheat Price Rise
• November Inflation Hits 5.5%, Highest In 7 Months

Kenya’s cost of living has been rising with each passing month led by the increasing price of fuel, maize flour, and milk. The government has been unable to tame the increasing cost of living and instead helped in fueling it through high taxes.

With the third wave of Covid-19 hitting hard, and with businesses having disrupted by the partial lockdown by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenyans should not expect any breathing space soon.