MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Association Of Flour Millers, Inc. (PAFMIL) on Thursday said the increase in the price of bread is due to the higher cost of ingredients and not flour shortage.
“Walang shortage sa supply ng harina. Malinaw ‘yan, mayroon tayong 90-day supply available at any time. Ang problema ay tumataas ang presyo ng lahat ng ingredients [sa] paggawa ng tinapay,” PAFMIL Executive Director Ricardo Pinca said in an interview on ABS-CBN News.
(There is no shortage of flour. It’s clear that we have a 90-day supply available at any time. The problem, however, is the surging cost of all ingredients for bread.)
He stressed that bakeries will be at a disadvantage if they’re not able to adjust the prices of bread according to the rising cost of production.
Pinca also clarified that while there is an ongoing problem in Russia and Ukraine wheat exports, this will not directly affect the Philippinessince its three major sources for wheat are the United States, Canada, and Australia.
“Iyong mga bansa na bumibili sa Russia at Ukraine ay hindi na makakabili sa kanila. Kaya ang nangyari, nagpupunta sila ngayon sa US, Canada at Australia at doon sila bumibili kaya tumataas ang presyo,” he explained.
(Other countries no longer have access to Russia and Ukraine wheat exports. So now, they’re turning to the US, Canada, and Australia and this has caused prices to soar.)
Russia’s war in Ukraine, which triggered a surge in wheat and oil priceshas posed an alarming threat to global food security.