PBAN Debunks Viral Claims on Flour Price Crash, Says Bread Production Costs Remain High
The Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria (PBAN) has dismissed as false and misleading a viral social media claim alleging that the price of flour has dropped sharply to between N35,000 and N40,000 per 50kg bag, with accusations that bread makers are deliberately refusing to reduce bread prices.
In a strongly worded rebuttal signed by the General Secretary of PBAN, Mr Emmanuel Onyoh, and issued on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the Association described the claims as “malicious, deceptive and a calculated attempt to incite the Nigerian public against hardworking bakers” who, it said, are grappling with severe economic pressures.
PBAN stated categorically that the figures being circulated online do not reflect the reality in the flour market.
According to the Association, as of December 16, 2025, the price of a 50kg bag of wheat flour ranges between N55,000 and N62,000, depending on the brand and point of purchase.
While acknowledging that some flour millers recently announced a marginal reduction of about N2,000 per bag, PBAN stressed that the adjustment is insignificant when weighed against the broader cost structure of bread production.
“Mathematically, a N2,000 reduction on a bag of flour translates to about N20 savings on a family-sized loaf,” the Association explained. “This minimal saving is immediately wiped out by the rising costs of other essential inputs such as yeast, improvers, margarine and preservatives.”
Beyond flour, PBAN highlighted what it described as a “perfect storm” of hidden and escalating production costs confronting bakers nationwide, making any immediate price reduction impracticable.
Chief among these challenges is the ongoing energy crisis. The Association noted that electricity tariffs and the cost of diesel required to power industrial ovens and generators have climbed to unprecedented levels, placing immense pressure on operating expenses.
PBAN also pointed to the high cost of equipment and maintenance, revealing that about 90 per cent of baking machinery used in Nigeria is imported. As a result, foreign exchange pressures have driven up the cost of replacement parts and repairs over the past few years.
Logistics and distribution costs were also cited as a major burden, with bakers spending significantly more on fuel and vehicle maintenance to deliver bread to consumers, often across deteriorating road networks.
In addition, the Association said compliance with the new National Minimum Wage of N70,000 has led to a sharp rise in wage bills. PBAN stressed that its members have chosen to pay staff fairly rather than shut down operations, despite the financial strain.
Multiple taxation was another critical issue raised, with the Association lamenting what it described as a “spectrum of overlapping and punitive taxes” imposed by federal, state and local government agencies on bakeries.
Despite these challenges, PBAN reaffirmed its commitment to Nigerian consumers. The Association said it has advised its members to maintain quality standards while exploring the introduction of bread variants in different sizes to cater for various income levels, in recognition of the shrinking disposable income of many households.
PBAN assured the public that bread prices would be reviewed downward once cost dynamics and broader economic conditions show a genuine and sustainable improvement.
“Our primary goal remains the provision of quality, safe and affordable bread that meets the highest regulatory standards,” the Association said, urging Nigerians to disregard what it termed misinformation spread by individuals with little understanding of manufacturing realities in the country.
