Six months after the fall in the price of bread, the bakery sector in Senegal is going through a major crisis. According to the National Federation of Bakeries of Senegal (FNBS), at least 85 bakeries have ceased operations, leading to significant job losses. This figure, which remains provisional, could be revised upwards during a press conference scheduled for Thursday, January 16, underlines L’Observateur.
“The reported closures include 37 bakeries in Dakar, 28 in Touba, 8 in Ziguinchor, 7 in Fatick, and 5 in Kaolack. In 2021, the sector had 2,521 bakeries, but the new conditions imposed by the reduction in the price of bread, from 160 to 150 FCFA, seem to have weakened businesses,” revealed the FNBS.
When this measure came into force, the State promised a reduction in charges for bakers, in particular through the elimination of VAT on electricity and support on inputs. However, Amadou Gaye, president of the FNBS, deplores that these commitments have not been kept. “Nothing has been done to compensate for the losses. Every bakery that closes, that’s about 10 jobs lost,” he said.
Faced with this situation, bakers are ruling out any increase in the price of bread for the moment, but are continuing their awareness-raising actions to alert public opinion to the survival of their businesses. Despite the assurances given by the Minister of Commerce during a recent meeting, bakers remain skeptical about the solutions proposed.
