The politically sensitive, subsidised price of a standard mini baguette has risen in most Libya from four for a dinar to three for one dinar.
The Bakers’ Syndicate has been reported by Libyan media saying that this is a result of an increase in flour prices, the shortage of diesel and the acute power cuts.
Flour prices are up recently from 235 to LD 280 per quintal (100 kgs).They were LD 190 in January.
Bakeries are not receiving their allocations of subsidised diesel while its black-market price has risen and fluctuated from LD 2.80 to LD 3.00 to even LD 5.00 per litre over the last few weeks. The black-market price of diesel has mirrored the length of power cuts.
These factors have forced some bakeries to close rather than raise prices or face the ire of customers.
The syndicate has called for Brega Oil Marketing Company to guarantee supplies to bakeries. It has also called for the establishment of a national grain reserve to guarantee subsidised prices and the availability of flour for bakeries.
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