MUMBAI: The swelling tide of food inflation has brought another wave of woe in the new year. The price of sliced bread has risen by Rs 2 to Rs 5, weighing down households that consume one loaf a day on average. Most brands, including Britannia and Wibs, have increased rates.
In fact, prices rose as recently as 2020, with the regular 400gm white bread coming to cost Rs 30, up from Rs 28. Now the MRP has risen to Rs 33.
"This time, there is an average 15% increase across all brands. The smallest packet of 200gm white bread has risen from Rs 15 to Rs 17. The regular 350-400gm loaf, which most households consume, has increased from Rs 30 to Rs 33. The 600gm pack earlier cost Rs 45 and has now gone up to Rs 50. And 800gm white sandwich bread that was Rs 60, now costs Rs 65," said a vendor in Andheri Lokhandwala.
Most brands, including Wibs and Britannia, have hiked prices. However, neither manufacturer responded to requests for comment nor despatched the official revised rates. Manufacturer Mehdi Dashti, who runs City Bakery in Worli said, "The main reason is the increase in cost of fuel. Be it piped gas (PNG) or commercial gas cylinders, charges have nearly doubled in the past four or five months. Edible oil prices have soared as well."
Another baker Satyajit Dhargalkar said gas prices, cost of labour and exodus of skilled workers amid the lockdown increased the burden on the business. His rusk and khari are costlier, too, now. Khalif uz Zaman Khan, whose Gold Star Bakery has also raised MRP, said, "Raw materials like improver are imported from China. Owing to the tension between our countries, consignments are being sent through roundabout routes, not directly. Rates of acetic acid, diesel, electricity have all risen."
Vendors and sandwich stall owners say Wibs' large loaf that earlier sold for Rs 60, now comes for Rs 65. "I purchase at least 40 loaves a day, but the agent declines to give a penny in discount," said Ajay Yadav, who runs the 40-year-old Thakur's Sandwich Stall near the family court in Bandra-Kurla Complex. "In fact, I just increased the rates of my sandwiches on December 31, to recover lockdown losses as customers began to trickle in. But barely a day or two later bread prices rose - and despite profits being wiped out, I can't raise my rates again," added Yadav.
The margin of increase for brown bread is even higher, with some brands escalating costs by Rs 3 for a 200gm loaf and Rs5 for the 350-400gm loaves
