Bread prices up by Rs 5 a loaf, hike follows soon after milk price rise in Mumbai

MUMBAI: After milk became costlier by Rs 2 per litre on May 14, bread prices have now risen by five rupees per pack. Input costs of imported raw material used for plastic packaging and transportation are contributory factors. The rupee in free fall is adding to import woes.

On May 16, Modern Bread increased rates by a full five rupees per pack on basic variants, a record high. Britannia and Wibs are expected to follow suit. Grupo Bimbo, which owns the Modern brand, did not respond to TOI‘s requests for comment.

Raju Phutane, who owns a milk-bread stall in Lane 3 of Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri, said, "The price of Modern's 400 gm sandwich loaf has risen from Rs 40 to Rs 45, whole wheat from Rs 55 to Rs 60, and multigrain from Rs 60 to Rs 65. The small brown loaf was Rs 28, and it is now Rs 30. The white loaf was Rs 20; it is now Rs 22." Brown bread has reportedly risen from Rs 45 to Rs 50.

Suresh Paswan, manager of Breadkraft Bakery nearby, said, "Plastic powder used for manufacturing plastic bags is imported and has become very costly. We are considering raising bread prices. It is inevitable."

Salahuddin Khan, director of Kwality Bakers and member of the India Bakers' Association, said, "Transportation cost is a big drain on resources. Plus preservatives -- even salt – are much costlier. Plastic carry bags, a petroleum product, have increased to ridiculous levels."

Baker Irshad Ansari, owner of Delwin in Mahim, recently hiked rates but is again worried as costs continue to mount. Mehdi Dashti of City Bakery in Worli said, "We are usually last in line to increase prices. For now, we are waiting and watching. Gas as well as plastic packaging is so costly. Once food items go out of the reach of the common man, people wonder whether they should buy or not."

Shafi Ansari, a consumer from Bandra West, said, "Earlier rates would rise by Rs 2 per loaf – Rs 3 was cause for anxiety. Now, the hikes are in multiples of five rupees at one go." "The inflation has spared no food item, be it milk, edible oil, whole or ground spices, vegetables, fruits, bakery items or baby food," said homemaker Diksha Jain.