Mumbai consumers are now paying more for their daily bread, as prices for various loaves have increased by up to Rs 5 per pack. This hike, which began with Modern Bread on May 16, comes shortly after a Rs 2 per litre rise in milk prices across the city.
Rising Input Costs Blamed for Price Surge
Bakery owners and manufacturers attribute the price adjustments to a confluence of escalating input costs. Key factors include the rising expense of imported raw materials for plastic packaging, increased transportation costs, and the weakening rupee, which makes imports more expensive. Additionally, the cost of preservatives, salt, gas, and fuel has also contributed to the overall production cost.
The price increases are not isolated to bread, as Mumbai has also seen recent hikes in petrol and diesel prices, which went up by approximately 90 paise per litre following an earlier Rs 3 per litre increase. CNG prices in cities like Mumbai and Delhi also saw a Rs 2 per kg hike, followed by another Re 1 increase, significantly impacting delivery and operational expenses for businesses.
Specific Price Changes
Modern Bread initiated the price revisions, with other major brands like Britannia and Wibs expected to follow suit. Here’s a breakdown of some of the changes:
- A 400 gm sandwich loaf increased from Rs 40 to Rs 45.
- Whole wheat bread went from Rs 55 to Rs 60.
- Multigrain bread saw a rise from Rs 60 to Rs 65.
- A small brown loaf increased from Rs 28 to Rs 30.
- White loaf prices moved from Rs 20 to Rs 22.
- Brown bread rose from Rs 45 to Rs 50.
These adjustments reflect the broader economic pressures faced by manufacturers, with consumers ultimately bearing the brunt of the increased operational expenses.