Trade Minister
By Buba Gagigo
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE) has revealed that flour shortage led to the current bread shortage in the country.
“The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment has noted with concern the shortage of bread and flour in the country for the past few days. The flour sector in The Gambia is supported through a range of incentives for the industrialization of the country.
“This is important to ensure long term economic growth. There are two flour-milling companies in the country, GMC Corporation and Nessim Company Ltd. The shortage in flour was due to production problems encountered by these two companies simultaneously; a rare occurrence in the history of the sector,” the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
The ministry added that a delay in receiving wheat supplies, among others, also contributed to the shortage.
“The ship carrying the stock for GMC is expected to arrive in Banjul on 26th January 2022. The power issues are now resolved and production has started. Flour supplies are now flowing and the bakers should have adequate supply of four by Saturday January 15, 2022,” the statement added.
MOTIE said it would continue to engage the companies and bakers on the pricing issue with a view to minimising increment.
The shortage of flour led to the increment of the cost of a loaf of bread from D7 to D10 in some areas of The Gambia.