By Nelson Manneh
On July 1, the price of bread in The Gambia officially increased from 10 dalasis to 12, following a deal between the government and the Gambia Bakers Union. As part of the agreement, the size of the bread loaves was also slightly increased.
But not everyone agrees the price hike was necessary.
Some bakers say they could still make a profit selling bread at D10, despite the rising cost of ingredients like flour, yeast, and firewood.
Alpha Omar Jallow, a baker in Bundung, said he believes bakers can still earn a reasonable income without raising prices. “Even if we are told to sell at D10, we can make profit,” he said. “It depends on how the bakery is managed and how much it costs to produce a loaf.”
He explained that with good planning and efficient use of resources, a bakery can reduce its production costs and make enough profit, even at the old price.
The Ministry of Trade said the new D12 price applies to both types of loaves—Tapalapa and Senfur. Officials said the new price will help bakers cope with rising expenses while ensuring customers get slightly heavier loaves.
Still, not all bakers are convinced.
Momodou Lamin Hydara, a baker with over 20 years of experience, said he was not happy when he heard about the price increase. “Bread is a basic food for most families. Many people can’t afford this increase,” he said.
Hydara, a resident of Tallinding said with low overhead costs and large-scale baking, selling at D10 is still profitable. “If you rent a small space, use simple equipment, and sell in bulk, you can still make it work,” he added.
He also expressed concern for low-income families. “Some families used to spend D150 on bread for breakfast. Now it’s D200. That’s a big change,” he said. “We Gambians complain about the high cost of living, but we are the ones making it worse. We need to think about each other.”
Salifue Camara, who delivers bread to shops and local vendors, said many people in the supply chain add their own markup, which drives prices up even more. “The problem is not just the bakers. Everyone in the chain adds a bit of profit,” he said. “If all bakeries had their own delivery vans, prices could even drop to D8.”
While some bakers admit that selling at D10 may not bring huge profits, they believe it is still possible to run a bakery successfully with the right strategy.
“This isn’t just about money,” Jallow said. “It’s about understanding what people are going through. We have to be honest with ourselves and think of others.”
As the price of bread continues to be a hot topic across the country, many Gambians are left wondering whether the increase was truly needed—or just another burden in an already difficult economy.
