By Ebrima Mbaye
In The Gambia, where Bread is more than just sustenance—a cultural cornerstone and often the only morning meal for many—recent spikes in bread prices send shockwaves through communities. From the bustling Greater Banjul Area to rural villages, the cost of a single loaf has surged from D10 to D12, with some vendors charging as much as D13 to D15. For a nation already wrestling with a high cost of living, this seemingly modest increase is proving to be a crushing burden for families, workers, and students.
The price hike has transformed Bread, once a reliable and affordable staple, into what feels like a luxury for thousands of Gambians. Lawratou Sowe, a fruit vendor in Lamin Daranka, shared her anguish: “My children used to share two loaves before school. Now, I can only afford one. For these past two days, they have gone to school with just one loaf, and as a mother, it breaks me.” Her story echoes across households where budgets are stretched thin, and every dalasi counts.
The ripple effects of the price increase extend far beyond the cost of a loaf of Bread. “It’s not just the bread,” said Alieu Sey, a shopkeeper in Sifoe, Kombo South. “When bread prices go up, everything else follows—egg sandwiches, tapalapa with beans, breakfast in the market. It now costs more than a full plate of lunch.” The increase for daily wage earners, taxi drivers, market vendors, and students is not just an inconvenience—it’s an economic shock that threatens their ability to afford basic nutrition.
Bakeries, caught in the middle, insist they are not to blame. Momodou Wurry Barry, manager of a mid-sized bakery in Lamin Kerewan, explained their pressures: “We’re not raising prices because we want to. Flour prices have increased, fuel costs are up, transportation costs are higher, and even plastic bags are more expensive. We’re just trying to survive.” Barry noted that a 50kg bag of flour, which cost D1,950 last year, now sells for over D1,800, with no signs of stabilization. “We’re losing customers, but we can’t sell at a loss,” he added.
In some communities, the situation is even more dire. In parts of Kitty, Sifoe, and Lamin, shopkeepers are charging D15 per loaf, claiming the agreed-upon D12 price is no longer viable. In Lamin Kerewan and Mandinaring, bread shortages have left families scrambling, with some going to bed hungry over the past two days. The scarcity and price hikes have eroded the sense of security that Bread once provided for students and workers who relied on it as a consistent, affordable meal.
The government’s response has been notably muted. Despite the growing crisis, neither the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE) nor the Gambia Consumer Protection Association has issued a direct statement addressing the current situation. Weeks ago, MoTIE released a press statement affirming its commitment to monitoring bread production, distribution, and pricing to ensure affordability and accessibility. The statement referenced agreements made in May 2025 with the Gambia Bakers Union (GBU), the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC), and the Consumer Consortium, which set new standards effective July 1, 2025: senfur loaves would weigh 160g (up from 133g) and cost D12, while tapalapa loaves would weigh 190g (up from 165g) and also cost D12. Bakeries were instructed to maintain a D10 per loaf price or D120 per dozen for direct sales.
Under the Gambia Standards Bureau, the Ministry’s Legal Metrology Department was tasked with enforcing compliance and educating consumers on bread weight standards. The Ministry warned that any bakery violating these standards “shall be dealt with accordingly.” Yet, with prices exceeding the agreed D12 in some areas and Bread shortages persisting, enforcement appears inconsistent, leaving consumers feeling abandoned.
The lack of immediate action has fueled public frustration, with many Gambians questioning why a staple so central to daily life has become a source of hardship. The reaction from the majority of the citizens reflects growing discontent, with many calling for government intervention to stabilize prices and address supply chain issues. “Bread is our lifeline. How can they let it get this bad? D15 for a loaf is robbery,” Sanna Camara, a resident of Kanifing, said. “The government needs to act now before people start going hungry.”
As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, the bread price hike is more than an economic issue—it’s a symbol of the broader struggles facing the Gambian people. For now, families like Lawratou and many others are forced to make impossible choices, cutting back on meals to make ends meet. With no clear resolution in sight, the question on everyone’s mind is: When will this staple be stable again?
The post Bread Price Hike Sparks Hardship and Frustration Across The Gambia appeared first on The Alkamba Times.
