Residents of Kaduna, Katsina, and Kano States are grappling with an acute scarcity of bread, a staple food in Nigeria.
The scarcity has led to a significant increase in prices, making it unaffordable for many.
Investigations by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that the scarcity is due to the high cost of wheat flour, sugar, and other additives. Bakers in the region have stopped production since July 1, 2024, citing the inability to break even due to the skyrocketing prices of ingredients.
A baker in Kaduna, who spoke anonymously, said, “We were buying a 50kg bag of flour for between N53,000 to N55,000 in June, but it now costs between N67,000 to N70,000.” Another baker in Katsina State lamented the high cost of flour, saying it had affected their business.
The scarcity has forced residents to seek alternative food sources, such as noodles, millet porridge, and bean cake. Bread sellers and consumers in the affected states have appealed to the government to intervene and address the situation.
In Kaduna, a tea and bread seller, Haidar Basiru, said the scarcity had affected his business, while a resident, Abdullahi Muhammad, expressed concern over the lack of bread for breakfast. In Katsina State, a resident, Aliyu Idris, reported a significant price increase, with a loaf of bread now selling for N400, up from N200. Similarly, in Kano State, a resident reported a price increase from N600 to N800 per loaf.
The scarcity has caused hardship for residents, especially those who rely on
