Bread shortage fears allayed

PLAYERS in the bakery sector have allayed fears of bread shortages despite several bakeries closing shop.

20 small-medium bakeries have collapsed and the sector is now operating at 45%, the National Bakers' Association of Zimbabwe president  Givemore Mesoemvura has said.

"The industry is operating at 45 percent.

"The competition has become intense. It's now dog eat dog.

"The big have swallowed the small and the fight for shelf space in the market has reached extreme levels to the extent that it's now reversing the gains of Government's affirmative action that has been made so far," he is quoted saying.

"We're more than able to meet national demand. Our installed capacity is 1,8 million loaves of bread and we're producing 800 000 a day."