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Consumers yet to receive benefits from price drop of bakery items
A baker preparing bakery items. Pix by Eshan Fernando
While it was announced that prices of bread and other bakery products will be reduced, customers complain the benefits are yet to reach them. They also point to a large disparity between prices and quality.
Trade Minister Nalin Fernando requested that the prices of bakery products be slashed by Rs. 10. Consequently, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) announced that a 450g loaf of bread and other bakery items will be brought down by Rs. 10 with effect from June 20.
But many consumers feel more should be done to keep a check on prices while maintaining quality. “When the price of bread increases, it is by a big margin and when it reduces, it is by a small amount,” said L. Sugath, from Narahenpita.
“Bakeries tend to sell their bread at different prices,”said W. Ratnayake, from Pelawatte. “Some sell bread at Rs. 140 while some at Rs.160. There are also people who get one quarter of a loaf for Rs. 100 just to survive,” he added.
“Times are tough. We barely receive Samurdhi benefits. As parents, we are struggling to provide for our families owing to the economic downturn. It seems like the people cross the minds of certain politicians only when elections approach,” Mrs. Kumari from Kompanna Veediya said.
“Although the Government announced the price drop of bread and other bakery items, it has not been put into effect yet as the prices remain the same in many bakeries. There are no specific rates at the moment and that leaves the consumers in a tightspot,” M. Abdul from Kompanna Veediya said.
But bakery owners claim they have been forced to bring down prices, despite the other rising costs, said ACBOA President N. K. Jayawardena. They are dissatisfied and resentful about bringing down the price of bread as ingredient costs, including flour, have not reduced.
“Yet, owing to pressure from the government, it was decided to reduce the price,” Mr. Jayawardena said, adding that they hoped the price of flour would also be slashed in due course. “The Government has banned the import of fresh milled wheat flour. Currently, locally milled wheat flour is used. The international wholesale market price of wheat flour is Rs. 110 and it can be imported to Sri Lanka for Rs. 120. If so, a loaf of bread can be sold for Rs. 100,” he added.
The “mandatory low-price practice” kills the quality of bread and other bakery products, he said, and called for strong regulations.
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