Cost of bread rises 300%

BAKERIES in Zimbabwe remained closed yesterday and shop shelves wereempty of bread despite a 300% rise in the official price of a loaf.

The state Sunday Mail, a government mouthpiece, said the National Prices and Incomes Commission allowed the bread price to increase to 100,000 Zimbabwe dollars (about €0.15) on Friday as part of a review to help businesses remain viable.

The rise came after the government slashed the price of bread by more than a half in June aimed at fighting the world’s highest official inflation.

The independent National Bakers’ Association said chronic bread shortages would continue despite the price rise until flour supplies improved.

Acute shortages of hard currency have delayed wheat imports.