We broke the news on Friday - and tonight it's reality: the controlled price of a 16 ounce loaf of bread has gone up by 35 cents.
For the poor - that means not even a two dollar bill can now purchase this most basic and essential food item.
But for bakers - the 20% increase doesn't sufficiently address their shortfalls. They've been waiting for the increase since December of 2023 and - in what may be a shock to some - say that 35 cents per loaf is not enough for them. We spoke to a Bakers representative on the phone:
Last year the Bakers asked for an 85 cent increase on 16 oz loaf; the government gave them 35 cents in this Statutory Instrument gazetted on May 4th.
The bakers are still not satisfied and today their rep told us why.
Voice of: Vic Chu, Collective Bakers Rep
"First of all it is not what we have asked for we are a bit disappointed as a an association however everyone is struggling very hard it's difficult so we had to take instead of continue negotiations, but we are still unnegotiated."
"Originally we had asked for a 75 cent increase And the cabinet only passed through with 35 cents."
Jo-
"So you had initially asked for 75 Cents?"
Vic Chu, Collective Bakers Rep
"75 cents increase based on the $1.50 for the whole sale of the pack read which would arrive to the price of $2.25."
"The price of the 35 cent increase has gone into effect starting today."
So Now a $2 note won't cut it at the counter for a loaf of bread. You'll be paying $2.10. And according to Chu this price adjustment doesn't account for other production factors that were not taken into consideration.
Vic Chu, Collective Bakers Rep
"What we have noticed right now because we got this message if you have checked or received the SI you would notice it was gazette at the beginning of May. We had an internal discussion for two to three weeks and we arrived to the publication last week. And when we publicized the increase to our customers we also came to realize that the sugar industry and also the government has the intention to Increase the sugar price. Which would lead to a great burden of the bakery industry again."
"We did not know about that so this price increase does not factor the price change that is going to take place on the sugar."
"Pack bread" is a staple in every household. It's one of the cheapest ways to feed a family, both small and large, and the demand is high especially in the city, morning, noon and night. And according to Chu, his customers have been considerate of the price jump:
Vic Chu, Collective Bakers Rep
"Everyone understood our situation because it's very difficult and challenging after the labor increased to $5 at the beginning of this year which increased the price of every single stuff that we needed. The first thing that they increased is the delivery cost, the flour the other raw materials and that created a direct impact to the entire baking industry so every customer understood about the pressures that we are undertaking and so we have also shared this concern with the government and the government tries to work together with everyone so we are very how to say even though we are disappointed about this increase it gives us a momentary break for the entire industry. And we try to work together with the community and also the government."
And the industry isn't stopping there. They hope another price hike is on the horizon. For these bakers it can't come soon enough:
Jo- "You said it gives you a monetary break so this means that you guys anticipate there will be another increase in the future?"
Vic Chu, Collective Bakers Rep
"Yes because for example the price of the plastic has also gone up drastically since the country has applied the ban of the use of single plastics. Usage of single plastics. So the plastic that we use to pack the pack bread has gone up drastically because the importations on the plastic bag has become scarce and the permits for the importations of the plastic bag is also difficult to get so the price of many packaging materials and raw materials continue to increase."
Though the 35 cent increase may be enough to keep the bakers afloat temporarily, they say that negotiations must continue in order to keep the industry alive.
Vic Chu, Collective Bakers Rep
"We have been saying to the government that this increase is not sufficient to adjust the changes that are happening to the raw material and also the packaging material and also the labor costs have increased so we are trying to continue to negotiate with the government well with our appreciation to the approval of this SI it gives us a momentary break even though not fully we also hope to look forward to work together with the Belizean community and we hope that the community understands that this baking industry is also taking a huge burden by absorbing all these price increases and taking the loss on our end."
