Bread Prices in Kano Refuse to Fall—Even as Flour Gets Cheaper
Bread remains a daily essential for millions in Northern Nigeria, especially in Kano where it’s the go-to meal for breakfast and quick snacks.
But even as flour—the main ingredient for bread—has seen a dramatic drop in price, the cost of bread hasn’t followed suit. And that has left many Kano residents asking: what’s really going on?
The Flour Price Drop: A Fact
According to a market check by NIGPOST at Singa Market, one of the biggest food hubs in Kano, flour now sells for between NGN 55,000 and NGN 56,000 per bag—down from over NGN 80,000 just months ago.
Usaini Rabiu, a flour distributor, confirmed the drop. “Since mid-2024, the price of flour has been coming down steadily. We expect this to reflect in bread prices too,” he said.
Bakeries Say They’ve Reduced Prices Too
One bakery manager who spoke anonymously told NIGPOST that some bakeries have already adjusted prices. “A loaf we sold for NGN 1,300 now goes for NGN 900. The NGN 1,000 loaf is now NGN 700,” he said. But this isn’t the story consumers are telling.
Middlemen in the Spotlight
Blame is now being directed at distributors and retailers. “We sell our loaves to distributors for NGN 900,” the bakery manager said, “but the same bread ends up in shops at NGN 1,400. Distributors make more per loaf than we do!”
Kamalu Ishaq, a local tea and bread vendor, backed this up. “We barely make NGN 100 profit on a loaf. We buy it at NGN 900, and customers complain when we try to sell above NGN 1,000.”
Distributors Defend Themselves
But not everyone agrees. Abubakar Garba Indabawa, a long-time bread distributor, says the story is more complicated. “Bakeries now demand full payment before releasing bread, unlike before when we took it on credit,” he explained. “Our profit margin is just around NGN 100 per loaf—sometimes even less.”
Consumers Caught in the Middle
While bakeries and distributors trade blame, everyday Nigerians are the ones feeling the pinch. The rising cost of bread continues to hit low-income earners the hardest.
As frustrations rise, many are calling on regulatory bodies to step in and ensure that reductions in raw material prices are reflected at the consumer level.
What Can Be Done?
Until there’s transparency across the supply chain—from flour suppliers to retailers—bread lovers in Kano may continue paying more than they should. It’s time for the government and industry stakeholders to investigate, regulate, and restore fairness to the market.
Are you also feeling the impact of bread prices in your area? Drop a comment below and share your experience. Let’s amplify the voice of the people and push for real change.
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