Africa’s dependence on wheat imports keeps bread prices high

Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Ivory Coast, and Mozambique source large volumes from the United States, Russia, Ukraine, and Canada. This dependence exposes African markets to geopolitical risks, potential new trade tariffs, rising shipping costs, fuel prices, and fertilizer expenses. While global wheat has become cheaper, the cost of a standard loaf of white bread in Africa still ranges from $0.80 to over $2.00, depending on the country, exchange rate fluctuations, government subsidies (or lack thereof), and local distribution costs. Bakeries face multiple additional burdens: electricity tariffs in Sub-Saharan Africa are often 2–3 times higher than the global average, frequent power cuts force the use of expensive diesel generators, and inland transport from ports to inland areas adds substantial extra costs. In countries with currency instability and foreign exchange shortages — such as Mozambique and Zimbabwe — governments sometimes ...