Kolkata: Households in Kolkata will have to spend more on their daily bread as the price of a 400 gm white sliced loaf is set to increase by Rs 4, from Rs 36 to Rs 40, effective either June 15 or June 21. The exact date depends on the availability of packaging material with manufacturers.
Premium Varieties Also Affected
Premium bread varieties, including wholewheat and multigrain, will cost Rs 5 more. This follows a Rs 2 per litre increase in milk prices last month, impacting lakhs of families for whom sliced bread is a common breakfast staple.
Reason for Price Hike
Manufacturers cite unavoidable price revisions due to rising input costs since the outbreak of the war in Iran. This marks the fourth price revision in four years. In Mumbai, companies had already raised sliced white bread prices by Rs 5 last month. Moreish has already increased costs, while Modern, Metro Gold, Britannia, Barron, and Subhnarayan are set to revise prices across bread categories from Monday. Other manufacturers are expected to follow suit.
Market Impact
These six brands collectively sell around 1.8 lakh sliced bread loaves daily in Kolkata, controlling 60% of the market. Kolkata and its suburbs have 26 bread manufacturers with total daily sales estimated at 3 lakh loaves. White sliced bread accounts for nearly half of the bread market, making this increase significant for both consumers and retailers.
Input Cost Details
An official at Modern Bread, which produces 1.2 to 1.3 lakh loaves daily, stated that almost all major ingredients except flour have become costlier. Margarine and vegetable oil prices rose by 15%, gluten by 8%, soya flour by 29%, refined oil by 16%, and calcium propionate by 42%. Packaging costs have also increased by 37%.
An official from Bakers Point, which sells bread under the Metro Gold brand, noted that transport and production costs have also risen sharply.
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About the Author
Subhro Niyogi is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, responsible for reporting, editing, and coordinating news and features. His hobbies include photography, driving, and reading.
