Not enough penny to buy a loaf

Choon paan sellers (three-wheeler bread vendors) that used to roam residential areas mornings and evenings are idling, now that demand for bread and buns have plummeted.

A loaf of bread now is priced between Rs 190 and Rs 220, while at high end bakeries, it costs Rs. 350.

Last year, a pound of bread was Rs. 57. Within a year, prices have increased by 237%.

The Bakery Owners Association, president Mr N.K. Jayawardena told the Sunday Times that out of about 7,000 bakeries, about 2,000 small-scale ones have shut down due to the wheat flour shortage and the cost.

“A bag of flour we purchased for Rs 15,000 then is now Rs. 25,000. That also is hard to get. Bakeries in urban areas are surviving as they still have a customer base. But in villages, people cannot afford to buy a loaf for Rs. 200,” he said.

The two main wheat flour importers have reduced supply.

Wheat flour which was Rs 95.30 per kilo last year, is now sold for between Rs. 315 and Rs 485.

“The trade minister (Nalin Fernando) has given an assurance that imported flour will arrive in the country soon. But the demand will be high, still creating a shortage. Flour will still be sold at exorbitant rates for some time, and will be unbearable for bakeries,” Mr. Jayawardena said.

“The price of bread should be increased to about Rs. 300, but people won’t buy. This has resulted in bakeries incurring losses.’’

A loaf of bread now is priced between Rs 190 and Rs 220

A tea bun is no more a poor person’s snack. It costs between Rs. 80 and Rs 100 and in some places sells at Rs.125. Fish buns are expensive as are the old favourite, ‘kimbula banis’ (Vienna roll).

“We are increasing prices by Rs. 5 or Rs 10 at a time, so that customers won’t feel a big increase,” another bakery owner said.     Attempts made to contact the Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security, Nalin Fernando failed.