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Bread Price Hits Rs 3.90 as Government Slashes Subsidies
The price of Mauritius’s staple ‘pain maison’ is set to increase by 50% starting Saturday, 11 April, following a cabinet decision to revise long-standing bakery subsidies.
The Council of Ministers confirmed on Friday, 10 April, that the controlled price of a 100g loaf will rise from Rs 2.60 to Rs 3.90.
The adjustment follows recommendations from an inter-ministerial committee aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of the baking sector amid rising operational costs.
Subsidy Cuts and Bakery Impacts
The price hike is tied to a significant reduction in state financial support for bakeries. Key changes to the subsidy framework include:
- Flour Subsidies: The subsidy on a 25kg bag of flour will be reduced from Rs 541.15 to Rs 432.50.
- Direct Grants: The existing subsidy of Re 0.24 per 100g loaf, previously disbursed via the Mauritius Revenue Authority, has been abolished.
- Retail Margin: Bakers have been granted an increase of Rs 1.30 per loaf to cover rising expenses.
Despite these cuts, the State Trading Corporation will continue to supply 25kg bags of flour at the subsidised rate of Rs 217.50—representing 66.5% of the actual cost.
Officials stated that no further price increases are expected in the short to medium term.
Support for Vulnerable Households
To cushion the blow for the country’s poorest families, the government has announced a targeted relief package.
Starting next month, an additional monthly allowance of Rs 121 will be paid to beneficiaries on the Social Register of Mauritius (SRM).
This support measure is estimated to cost the state Rs 87.1 million annually and is expected to reach approximately 60,000 households across the island.
Based on the image provided, here is the organized data regarding the types of bread, their physical specifications, and their maximum retail prices in Mauritius and Rodrigues.
Types of Bread and Regulated Prices
| Type of Bread | Minimum Mass (gm) | Minimum Length (cm) | Maximum Moisture Content (%) | Maximum Retail Price (Rs. cs) |
| Maison | 100 | – | 35 | 3.90 |
| Rond | 100 | – | 35 | 3.90 |
| Baguette | 100 | 13 | 30 | 4.00 |
| Baguette | 200 | 27 | 30 | 8.00 |
| Baguette (Whole Wheat) | 400 | 45 | 30 | 16.00 |
| Baguette (White Wheaten) | 400 | 53 | 30 | 16.00 |
| Moule | 200 | – | 35 | 7.80 |
| Moule | 500 | – | 35 | 19.50 |
| Moule | 1,000 | – | 40 | 39.00 |
| Moule | 1,500 | – | 40 | 58.50 |
| Moule | 2,000 | – | 40 | 78.00 |
Source: Defi Media
