Bread prices headed to $1.25
That conveniently round figure of a dollar for a loaf of bread is about to become a thing of the past as Belize City bakers say they can no longer hold the line in the face of increased costs. Maria Chang and Sons announced the twenty-five cent price hike today. Unlike earlier occasions in which other local bakeries refused to go along with Chang and he was forced to retreat to a dollar, this time it looks like the extra shilling is here to stay.
Wilfredo Chang, Manager, Maria Chang & Sons Ltd.
“The rising cost of fuel, meaning gasoline and butane, has been going up steadily. Butane used to be at $1.80 not too long ago, right now it’s $2.75 per gallon. Gasoline is at $5.85 per gallon. And those are two main high costs. We were supposed to raise our prices from long ago from the beginning of October, but due to Keith we had to set it back. The thing is we have to face reality, it’s either raise it, or close down. Due to Keith we didn’t want raise it right after because people would say we’re taking advantage of the whole situation, even though that wasn’t the purpose to raise price.”
“There is a bakers association but that only exists by name. The members, nobody cooperate, so it doesn’t make sense for me to get in contact with other members when I know what they tell me won’t be exactly what they are going to do. So I took my own initiative and it’s up to them to follow or not.”
Jose Sanchez
“Do you believe others will follow?”
Wilfred Chang
“Well, I heard on the news that Mr. Pitterson and Mr. Rosado are going to raise and its up to them to prove it.”
Zebedee Pitterson, Sunny Side Bakery
“Because he not making much. Because the gas raise, you see he doesn’t have any room to play because the profit is small. Number one, when the bread dropped to dollar, the VAT used to help us. Because we would get back when we buy diesel and on the plastic and so. But after we dropped the price in February, sales tax comes in. With the sales tax we don’t get back anything.”
Jose Sanchez
“What about your establishment, do you plan to raise your prices?”
Zebedee Pitterson
“Soon, and if they play the game fair. We have to raise the price, we can’t continue to play the game for nothing. I can’t continue work for nothing.”
It is expected that the other Belize City bakers will raise their prices soon.
