January 23, 2008
Titus Filio, Contributor
Bahrain Tribune
Low-income families are under pressure as the prices of nan and kobooz are soaring.
Shops have marked up prices by 50-100fils in the past few months.
Bakeries claim the prices of ingredients have gone up and there is nothing they can do but increase the prices to remain in business.
“It is the first time the prices of nan and cheese nan have gone up in so many years,” said Jassim, who buys his requirements from a shop in Gudaibiya.
The shop uses the traditional brick-oven. Brick-oven baking means inexpensive but good bread.
But not so inexpensive anymore.
The price of nan Jassim refers to has gone from 100 fils to 150. The baked nan with cheese, once sold at 200fils a apiece now costs 250-300fils.
Roadside shawarma outlets tried to keep the prices at 250fils by using fewer ingredients. But regulars were quick to notice the difference.
The popular grilled chicken once sold for 800fils to BD1. Now it is available at 900fils to BD1.100.
As prices began shooting up, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry set up a committee in March to keep a watch on the prices of six basic commodities – flour, meat, chicken, rice, sugar, and oil.
Jamal Ateeq, a convener of a union-backed committee to study prices and cost of living, told Bahrain Tribune that the prices of most of basic commodities had gone up by 20-per cent this year.
“The cost of living has gone up. You can see that in the food people buy in the streets,” he said. “Everyone is affected.” With Ramadhan approaching, families hope for a wage hike the government has promised to its workers. The pay increase is likely to be implemented on or before Ramadhan and many are speculating on the percentage. “It is very different now. One dinar gave you so many kobooz in the past. Now there are a few,” Jassim said.
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