The president of the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association, NK Jayawardena, has assured that the prices of bakery products, including bread, will not increase, despite recent hikes in the costs of gas, sugar, and fuel.
Jayawardena noted that the bakery industry has experienced a significant drop in sales, with a reduction of over 75%. He emphasized that without government concessions to support the development of the bakery industry, there is a real risk of it facing extinction.
While acknowledging that the price increases in sugar, gas, electricity, and fuel would have a substantial impact on the bakery sector, Jayawardena stressed that the burden of these rising costs will not be shifted onto customers. Instead, bakery owners are prepared to absorb these expenses themselves.
The chairman highlighted that these cost increases have already placed a heavy financial strain on bakeries, to the extent that some owners are tempted to produce lighter-weight bread products.
In addition to the challenges posed by escalating prices for electricity, gas, fuel, and sugar, the chairman also pointed out that bakery businesses are burdened by significant tax obligations.
