People power campaign against bread price increase

SA is about to be hit with a bread price increase. The drought has forced Mzansi to import wheat from overseas, but because of a government import tariff, the price has increased. The National Treasury must step in to bring down the wheat import tariff rates, and monitor bread companies.

©udra via 123RF

For the last three months, the price of wheat has been at an all-time low. According to Grain SA, the price of bread should not increase and instead should be reduced due to the falling international cost of wheat. But bread companies didn't reduce the price of bread. The question is why?

We all know bread is the staple food for most families. A hike in the price of bread will only worsen the situation, especially for Black women who are the primary caregivers in most homes in Mzansi. With recent price hikes of maize and dairy products, the poor are already reeling and families have to cut most needed basic foodstuffs.

In February, the Treasury delivered what many regard as a “pro-poor budget”. This couldn’t be further from the truth when you consider that a basic food basket costs on average R1869.39, which is more than what the social grant can cover.

amandla.mobi is running a petition to stop the bread price increase - click here if you want to add your signature.