Overview
- Mid-July sector estimates put bread consumption down about 50–60%, roughly 2,850 bakery closures nationwide, and an estimated loss of around 17,000 jobs.
- Sales of pastries and other nonessential baked goods have fallen far more steeply, with sector figures showing declines near 80–90%.
- Many bakeries are operating at roughly half their capacity and customers now buy smaller portions instead of kilos, a change that bakery leaders link to falling incomes.
- The industry blames the squeeze on rising input and operating costs—especially more expensive flour and higher utility tariffs—compounding the drop in demand.
- Bakers report growing social strain as retirees skip bread to pay for medicines and more people ask for leftover food, a trend that could drive further closures and job losses if conditions persist.