Price hikes in flour, maida, and bakery items expected before Christmas, impacting bread, cakes, and more

The cost of key ingredients used in the bakery industry, including flour, maida, and sugar, has seen a significant increase in recent weeks, prompting bakery owners to consider raising prices on a wide range of products. In October, the price of packaged flour was 45 rupees per kilogram, which has now risen to 52 rupees in November. Similarly, the cost of packaged maida has increased from 48 rupees to 55 rupees per kilogram. Unpackaged flour and maida, which were priced at 35 rupees per kilogram last month, are now selling for 40 rupees per kilogram. This surge in raw material costs has placed pressure on bakery owners who rely on these ingredients to produce various bakery items.

The increase in ingredient prices, alongside rising fuel costs and higher wages for bakery workers, has led to potential price hikes across a wide range of products. A 400-gram loaf of bread, for example, could increase by 2 to 4 rupees, bringing the price of a one-pound loaf from 32 rupees to as much as 36 rupees. Bakery owners in Kolkata supply around 230,000 loaves of bread daily, and even a small increase in the price of bread could have a ripple effect on other bakery goods, including cakes, pizzas, sandwiches, and pastries. These products, staples in urban diets, are expected to become more expensive as the cost of raw materials continues to rise.

Additionally, the price of sugar has seen a steady increase, further driving up the cost of bakery goods. With the rising costs of flour, maida, sugar, edible oils, fuel, and wages, bakery owners are struggling to maintain their margins without passing on the increased costs to consumers. Several bakery associations have already begun discussing price adjustments in multiple districts, with some businesses already printing new prices. However, the final decision regarding the exact price increases has yet to be made. It is expected that these adjustments will be finalized in the coming week, with new prices likely to take effect before the Christmas season, impacting both everyday bakery items and festive treats.