Bread price rises by 50pc in Zimbabwe

Bread price rises by 50pc in Zimbabwe

ZIMBABWEANS are to pay more for a loaf of bread

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By Agencies

THE price of bread in economically ravaged Zimbabwe has rocketed by up to 50% due to a shortage of flour, state media said on Wednesday.

Bread is now selling at most shops for between Z$2 800 and Z$3 000 (R3.98) a loaf, state radio said. Standard bread prices were previously set around Z$2 000 (R3.65).

"The wholesale price of bread is now Z$2 500 (R3.31), while the retail price is pegged at Z$2 900 (R3.84) a loaf," Armitage Chikwavira, chair of the Bakers' Association of Zimbabwe, told the state-run Herald newspaper.

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation said retailers were blaming the price hikes on the shortages of maize meal and wheat flour.

Aid agencies estimate that Zimbabwe will this year face shortages of up to 800 000 tons of maize meal, a national staple.

Some of the agencies blame the country's controversial land reform programme, which saw the seizure of white-owned farms for redistribution to new black farmers, for cutting maize production.

Annual inflation last month stood at 583.7%.
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