Bread Scarcity Strikes Kaduna, Katsina, Kano: Residents Struggle with High Prices, Shortages

An acute scarcity of bread, a staple food in Nigeria, has hit the states of Kaduna, Katsina, and Kano, causing widespread distress among residents.

Investigations revealed that bread has become exceedingly difficult to find, and its prices have soared, making it unaffordable for many. This situation has forced residents to turn to alternative, albeit not much cheaper, foods such as noodles, millet porridge, and bean cake.

Prices for bread have increased by 20 to 40 percent, causing frustration among shop owners and consumers alike. Many have called for urgent intervention to address the dire situation.

A baker in Kaduna explained that production halted on July 1, 2024, due to the high cost and scarcity of essential ingredients like wheat flour, sugar, and oil. “In June, a 50kg bag of flour cost between N53,000 and N55,000. Now, it has skyrocketed to between N67,000 and N70,000. How can we produce bread and still break even under these conditions?” he lamented.

Bread sellers and consumers in Kaduna State have expressed their frustration, noting the negative impact on their businesses and daily lives. Haidar Basiru, a tea and bread seller, mentioned that he usually buys 100 loaves of bread but could only obtain 30 loaves due to the scarcity. “The bakeries say they are on strike due to the hike in flour and sugar prices. This has severely affected our business,” he said.

Mrs. Kafayat Sadiq, a provisions seller, also shared her plight, stating that she hasn’t been able to stock bread since Tuesday due to high flour costs. Resident Abdullahi Muhammad reported a similar struggle, saying he had to buy spaghetti for his children’s breakfast because bread was unavailable.

The situation in Kano mirrors that of Kaduna and Katsina. A resident there noted that a loaf of bread, which previously sold for N600, now costs N800.