Bread Wasted, Money Lost: Bahrain’s Hidden Subsidy Crisis

Every discarded loaf is not just food—it’s public money slipping through our fingers.

Government support for flour in Bahrain is no longer just numbers on a page—it’s a warning signal. Last year alone, flour subsidies jumped 18.1% to BD 30.4 million, highlighting a growing challenge for both the state and society.

Much of this surge stems from global factors beyond our control: soaring wheat prices, climate change, the Russia–Ukraine war, and rising shipping costs. But what we can control is domestic consumption and how subsidies are managed locally.

The real issue lies in the silent waste that occurs across production, distribution, and everyday use. Bread is routinely discarded in homes, restaurants, and hotels—a direct drain on public funds meant to ensure affordable staple food.

The solution is not more subsidies, but greater awareness. Consumers must realize that wasted bread equals wasted public money—funds that could have supported health, education, or other vital services. Meanwhile, the government must pair price support with strict regulations and oversight to prevent misuse of subsidized flour.

This problem is no longer tolerable. Waste is no longer a private habit—it is a public offense. Every dinar lost to discarded bread undermines Bahrain’s future and food security. We face a stark choice: act decisively through awareness, regulation, and accountability—or prepare for an even heavier bill that will inevitably fall on citizens.

(Captain Mahmood Al Mahmood is the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Tribune and the President of the Arab-African Unity Organisation for Relief, Human Rights and Counterterrorism)