Bakery owners in Dhi Qar’s Suq Al-Shuyukh strike over new price caps on bread

DHI QAR — More than 30 bakery owners in Suq Al-Shuyukh, located in Iraq’s Dhi Qar governorate, went on strike Wednesday, shutting down their bakeries in protest against a new pricing policy mandating the sale of eight loaves of bread for 1,000 Iraqi dinars (approximately $0.66) instead of the previous rate of six loaves.

Bakery owners cited rising costs of fuel, flour, rent, and labor wages as reasons for their inability to comply with the new pricing structure.

“More than 30 bakeries in Suq Al-Shuyukh have ceased operations in protest against the new pricing, which does not align with our operating costs,” said Raed Ali, the bakery coordinator in Suq Al-Shuyukh, speaking to 964media.

He explained that bakeries have been selling six loaves of bread for 1,000 dinars for a long time and that the new mandate would significantly affect their already slim profit margins.

In Iraq, the government actively monitors and regulates the prices of as bread. Bakers say the price caps do not take into account their expenses and costs.

“We receive no government subsidies. During winter, fuel prices drop because they are sold through coupons, with an oil barrel costing 75,000 dinars ($50). In summer, the price exceeds 100,000 dinars ($66) per barrel,” Ali noted.

He added that a 50kg sack of Turkish flour costs 38,000 dinars ($25), while local flour costs between 25,000 and 27,000 dinars ($17–$18).

Violations of the new pricing regulation, Ali said, come with a hefty fine of 1 million dinars ($662), as enforced by the Economic Security Authority.

“We urge officials to visit our bakeries, inspect the dough mixers, count the loaves we produce, and calculate rent and labor costs. Can we really make a profit with these expenses?” Ali asked.

He emphasized that the strike would continue until the old pricing structure is reinstated.

On the other hand, Nabil Sabr Al-Moussawi, the district commissioner of Suq Al-Shuyukh, told 964 media that the pricing decision was issued by the local government of Dhi Qar governorate and applies uniformly across all districts and towns in the governorate.

“The local administration in Suq Al-Shuyukh is obligated to enforce this decision. It is not exclusive to this district but applies to all areas in Dhi Qar,” Al-Moussawi stated.

Bakery Owners in Dhi Qar’s Suq Al-Shuyukh Strike Over New Bread Pricing Policy