Bread sizes shrink but prices remain stable

The sizes of loaves of bread have consistently shrunk straddling over a nine month period as prices remain relatively stable, according to sellers at the Amasaman Lorry Station.

An investigation into the effect of rising tariffs and transport fares on prices of loaves; white, butter, brown, wheat and sugar varieties revealed that the dominant feature was stable prices, but shrinking sizes.

Retailers told the Ghana New Agency on Friday that in spite of hikes in petroleum and utility tariffs leading to the increase in transport fares, which in turn affects the cost of production, there has not been a downward review of the retail price of bread.

Increases in flour, yeast, sugar, margarine and milk prices account for the upturn of marginal cost of production, but retailers said the result has been to reduce sizes of bread to match production cost.

They said bread prices range from one to ten Ghana Cedis depending on the type of bread, but each category could not be increased due to fear of losing demand.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in a separate interview, Ms Adisah Alhassan, Nutritionist, said the situation was expected due to the nature of demand by various consumers of bread.

She said bread is widely consumed in households, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, schools and prisons, and when prices are increased, it would reduce the quantity bought.