In an interview with the publication "Suspilne," Duchenko outlined the main reasons for this anticipated price increase.
The expert identifies the following reasons for the rise:
The prices of flour and other key ingredients continue to rise.
The increasing costs of packaging materials and transportation contribute to overall expenses.
Additionally, producers are facing rising costs associated with wages.
Moreover, the sharp increase in energy costs in December has placed significant financial pressure on bakers.
Yuriy Duchenko also mentioned the timeline for price changes. He believes that the initial increase may occur by the end of January. However, it is expected that by the end of March, the overall increase will be between 10–20%.
Despite these challenges, the intense competition within the bakery sector may help contain price increases, preventing them from exceeding the projected range.
The anticipated price adjustment reflects the ongoing struggle of the bakery industry to balance rising production costs with competitive pressures. Customers are advised to prepare for noticeable price changes in bread over the coming months.