- Minister Manqoba attributes increase to raw material price escalation
Mbabane – Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo has announced an increment of bread prices as of next month.
In a press statement the legislator stated, “The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade wishes to announce that the government has approved the increase of prices for both brown and white bread by six percent with effect from April 1, 2021.”
He noted that the increase has been necessitated by the escalation of raw materials such as wheat, flour and premix among other ingredients used in bread production. Khumalo said the recent fuel hikes also had an adverse effect in the profitability of the industry.
He also highlighted, “The increase is envisioned at keeping the business at sustainable profitability levels and retain human resource as this industry employs a significant number of emaSwati.”
Meanwhile, just last October, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the same had been effected at selected retail stores in the country with effect from October 26, 2020.
The price increase of bread followed the implementation of Legal Notice No.256 of 2020, which revoked Legal Notice No. 50 of 2015.
The retail price of bread then cost the consumer about 69 cents more. White bread was then priced at E13.07 while brown bread has been selling at E11.39 maximum retail price. A government gazette confirming the latest developments was issued on October 23, 2020.
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