In press release on Wednesday, the Ministry stated that after the collection and analyses of the data, the taskforce presented its result, which clearly revealed that the proposed increase in the price of bread by the Bakers’ Union could not be imperially supported and therefore rejected the proposal outright.
The dispatch reads below:
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE) wishes to inform the general public that government of The Gambia through this Ministry continues to monitor the productions, 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 GMD10 to GMD15 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. Through constructive discussions and dialogue with the GBU, together with The Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC) and the Consumer Consortium, the decision on the bread price increment was put on hold pending collectively and thorough analysis on the cost structure of bread done.
Subsequently, a Taskforce comprising this Ministry, GCCPC and GBU, was constituted to collect data on the bread cost structure. Input cost data from 48 “Senfur” and “Tapala” bakeries across the country were collected to guide Government’s position on the price of bread in the country. After the collection and analyses of the data, the Taskforce presented the results to MOTIE’s Senior Management and the Executive of the Bakers’ Union on Wednesday 7th May 2025. The presented data clearly revealed that the proposed increase in the price of bread by the Bakers’ Union could not be imperially supported.
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 (GMD10) 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.
