Bread prices to stay low

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bread will continue to be affordable across the Kingdom, with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce reaffirming price regulation under the subsidy system.

The ministry said direct price controls apply only to government-subsidised flour and bread produced from it, stressing that there is no wider price-setting for food or consumer goods under the free-market approach. The clarification was given in a written parliamentary reply to MP Lulwa Al Rumaihi in response to a question on free-market trade practices.

According to the ministry, the monitoring of subsidised flour — including grades known as No. 0 and No. 2 — is governed by a 2012 decision. Bahrain Flour Mills Company produces the subsidised flour and supplies it directly to traditional and automated bakeries registered with the ministry.

Bread made from subsidised flour is covered by a separate 1978 decision regulating sale prices. The products include local tannour bread, Lebanese (pita) bread, sliced bread, as well as sammoon and roll bread.

The ministry said it regularly monitors price displays and market trends and can intervene when abnormal conditions lead to unjustified increases in essential goods.

It also disclosed that the Consumer Protection Directorate received 217 complaints in 2024 related to tampering with announced prices, representing about three per cent of all complaints received during the year. Legal and administrative action was taken in all cases, with 150 confirmed as violations, while the remaining 67 could not be substantiated due to insufficient documentation or evidence from complainants.