Nigeria has the most expensive price of bread in Africa

Data compiled for nine African countries with the most expensive prices of bread show that the price of bread is most expensive in Nigeria, with a 500g loaf of white bread selling for an average of 1.12 USD.

Nigeria has ranked first among other nine African countries with the most expensive price of bread across Africa.

Bread is a common staple that is widely consumed and always in high demand. The delectable, palate-appealing, savory which has become a cultural heritage in the food industry is one of the common delicacies in an average African community. It has become a metaphor for the basic needs of many Africans.

Nigeria continues to witness rising inflation, which has seen the prices of commodities in the country skyrocket. Inflation rate in Nigeria has risen from 15.6% in January 2022 and currently stands at 16.82%, as of April 2022. This is the highest it has been in 8 months and follows a similar uptick recorded in March because of the increase in energy and food prices.

Breakdown & Key Metrics

Data compiled by Numbeo on behalf of Ghana Web for the nine African countries with the most expensive prices of bread show that in Nigeria, a 500g loaf of fresh white bread costs an average of 1.12 USD. This amount is the highest across Africa.

South Africa is second with the same 500g loaf of bread selling, on average, for under a dollar at 0.98 USD. Ghana is third because a 500g loaf of fresh white bread in the country costs 0.79 USD.

Other countries on the list and their respective costs of 500g loaf of fresh white bread are Mauritius (0.71 USD), Egypt (0.60 USD), Morocco (0.5 USD), Kenya (0.47 USD), Algeria (0.16 USD) and Tunisia (0.13 USD).

Other Insight

The cause of increasing costs of bread is because of high demand and other macroeconomic factors, such as supply chain distributions and foreign exchange constraints. Experts and global economic institutions have hinted at the likely effect the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict will have on food supplies and distribution in Africa.

A worst likely scenario of the conflict will be Africa facing an imminent food crisis. This is because most African countries who have bread as one of their food staple import their grains, including wheat, from either Ukraine or Russia or both. Globally, Russia is the largest producer and exporter of wheat.