Finding fresh ‘tapalapa’ bread in Gunjur and other parts of The Gambia has become as rare as finding gold dust. The industrial strike by bread makers, triggered by a dispute over price increases, is not just about the unavailability of a staple food — it’s about the far-reaching economic and social consequences that threaten to ripple through the community.
It’s easy to view this crisis through the lens of a simple supply and demand issue. Bread is, after all, just one food item that can be substituted. But for many in Gambia, bread is more than that. It’s a daily necessity, a key source of nutrition, and for those who sell sandwiches or distribute bread, it’s their livelihood. The loss of income for these small business owners is more than just a temporary setback; it’s a potential threat to their standard of living and welfare, particularly for children who depend on this income.
The economic implications are profound. When a community staple like bread becomes scarce, it creates a deadweight loss — a loss of economic efficiency that impacts both producers and consumers. This isn’t just about empty shelves. It’s about the bread sellers who can’t earn a living, the families forced to spend more on alternatives, and the ripple effect on other food prices as demand shifts.
The announcement to increase bread prices from D10 to D13, coming just before Ramadan, was ill-timed and poorly received. While the authorities’ decision to pause the price hike was welcomed, it led to an industrial strike, exposing the power dynamics within the supply chain. It’s clear that the bread association holds significant influence, but with power comes responsibility.
The ongoing deadlock suggests a deeper problem: a failure of dialogue and negotiation. Bread makers have a right to demand fair compensation, especially with rising production costs, but the method of protest — leaving communities without a staple food—has escalated the situation to a crisis.
The deadweight loss isn’t just economic; it’s social. Communities like Ceesay Kunda, Camara Kunda, and Sanyang Kunda are feeling the impact firsthand, struggling to find substitutes for 'tapalapa' bread. For a society that relies on bread almost as much as rice, this isn’t just inconvenient — it’s disruptive.
This crisis is a wake-up call for the authorities and the bread maker association. It’s a reminder that economic decisions are never made in a vacuum. The cost of this impasse is being paid by the most vulnerable — families who can’t afford alternatives, small business owners losing daily income, and children whose welfare is at stake.
Both parties must come to the negotiating table with a sense of urgency. A compromise is essential — not just to resolve the bread shortage but to prevent a prolonged economic fallout that could worsen living standards and widen social inequality.
This isn’t just about bread. It’s about economic stability, social welfare, and the community’s resilience. The deadweight loss from this crisis is a price we can’t afford to pay.
Editor's note: Buba K. Touray is the Programme Director of BE REEL Gambia. The opinions expressed here belong to the author and may not reflect the perspectives of Gunjuronline.com. Do you have a story an opinion piece you’d like to share? Get in touch by contacting us at: editor@gunjuronline.com
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