Nigerians Struggle as Bread Prices Refuse to Fall Despite Drop in Cost of Flour
- Bread prices across Nigeria have remained high despite a notable drop in flour costs, frustrating consumers and vendors who expected relief
- Bakers argue that the reduction in flour and sugar prices is too small to offset high expenses for electricity, diesel and other essential ingredients
- As a result, families and small vendors continue to struggle, while industry leaders warn that reliance on imported wheat keeps bread prices elevated
Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade's experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology, Banking and the Economy.
The cost of bread, one of the most common food items in Nigerian homes, has remained stubbornly high in many regions, even though the price of flour, its primary ingredient, has dropped noticeably.
Investigations show that the price relief expected from falling flour costs has not translated into cheaper bread for consumers.
Source: UGC
Bread prices stay high despite cheaper flour
According to Daily Trust, flour prices surged to more than N80,000 per 50kg bag in markets across Kano, the northern states, and other parts of the country.
This sharp increase forced many bakeries to adjust bread prices upward. In several communities, loaves that previously sold for N700 rose to N1,200, while those that cost N500 climbed to N1,000.
By late last year, a 50kg bag of flour sold for N70,000–N71,000, while sugar cost between N83,000 and N85,000 per bag. However, by early March 2025, flour prices had fallen to about N58,000 and sugar to around N80,000.
In Abuja markets, flour was selling between N60,000 and N65,000, far below last year’s peak levels. Despite this reduction, bread prices have barely shifted.
Vendors, bakers explain the stagnant prices
Tea vendors, popularly known as mai shayi, are among those feeling the ripple effects of high bread prices.
Adamu Garba Dogo Maishayi, a mobile tea seller in Gombe, said the cost of bread has driven many customers to purchase tea without its usual accompaniment. This, he said, has significantly reduced his profits.
He urged authorities to step in and encourage bakers to align bread prices with lower flour costs.
Dogo Maishayi said:
“Bakers do not hesitate to increase bread prices when the cost of flour rises, but they are slow to reduce prices when flour prices drop.”
However, bakers argue that the reductions in input costs are too small to make a meaningful difference.
Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi, chairman of the Bakers’ Association in Gombe, said the drop in flour prices amounts to only about 3%, which is far too little to impact the final cost of bread.
According to him, a N10,000 drop per bag would create a noticeable reduction, allowing, for instance, a N1,000 loaf to sell for N900.
In Abuja, the FCT chairman of the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN), Mr. Ishaq Abdulraheem, said that although flour and sugar prices have decreased slightly, other essential components of breadmaking have not.
Electricity tariffs, diesel costs, and the prices of margarine, packaging materials, and yeast have all remained high, preventing any meaningful reduction in bread prices.
Source: UGC
He stressed that Nigeria’s dependence on imported wheat remains a major challenge.
Abdulraheem said:
“As long as Nigeria keeps importing wheat, the price of bread will remain high. We can use cassava as an alternative. That’s why we have been agitating for the government to ensure that cassava production is increased.”
Bakery owner Alhaji Manu Inuwa from Kano added that many consumers misunderstand how bread pricing works. Even if flour and sugar become cheaper, the prices of other equally important ingredients often do not.
Rising flour costs fuel conflict between bakers and millers
Previously, Legit.ng reported that the controversy surrounding the price of flour deepened tensions between bakers and millers.
While flour millers argued that prices have remained stable, the bakers claimed that the cost of flour and production has increased over the last year.
Bread makers maintain that these economic pressures are directly responsible for the sharp rise in their overhead costs.
Source: Legit.ng
