Africa-Press – Gambia. The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment (MOTIE) has confirmed that the price of bread will remain at ten dalasis (D10) per loaf. This decision follows extensive consultations with the Gambia Bakers’ Union (GBU) and a detailed review of production costs.
In a statement, MOTIE emphasized its ongoing commitment to monitoring the production, distribution, and pricing of bread, an essential staple food, to ensure its availability and affordability for the Gambian population. The announcement follows a proposed price increase from D10 to D15 per loaf by the GBU in March 2025, attributed to rising input costs.“The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment (MOTIE) wishes to inform the general public that the Government of The Gambia, through this Ministry, continues to monitor the production, distribution, and selling of bread in the country. The objective is to ensure that bread, as an essential food commodity, is available and accessible by the population. Following the announcement by The Gambia Baker’s Union (GBU) in March 2025 on the possible increase of the price of bread from D10 to D15 per loaf, the Ministry engaged the Union to understand the reasons for the increment, which was later said to be linked to an increase in the input cost of bread production,” MOTIE said.
MOTIE stated that through constructive dialogue with the Gambia Baker’s Union (GBU), in collaboration with the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC) and the Consumer Consortium, the proposed bread price increase was temporarily suspended pending a comprehensive and joint analysis of the bread cost structure.
Following this, a task force comprising representatives from MOTIE, GCCPC, and the GBU was established to gather detailed data on the cost components of bread production. The taskforce collected input cost information from 48 bakeries producing “Senfur” and “Tapalapa” bread nationwide to inform the government’s stance on bread pricing. Upon completion of data collection and analysis, the taskforce presented its findings to MOTIE’s senior management and the Executive Committee of the Bakers’ Union on Wednesday, 7 May 2025.
The Ministry stated that the data presented did not substantiate the Bakers’ Union’s proposed price increase.
“As such, the general public is hereby informed that out of the negotiations, the prices of bread for both ‘Senfur’ and ‘Tapalapa’ remain at ten dalasis (D10) per loaf across the country. The Ministry will continue to engage stakeholders in the value chain for amicable and lasting solutions, considering the wider interests of the public. Any future outcome of the engagements shall meet the national quality standards developed by the Gambia Standards Bureau,” the ministry said.
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
