The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE) wishes to inform the general public that the Government of The Gambia is working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that there is free and fair competition in the production and distribution of bread through the country.
Following consultations, the minimum standard weight of both “senfurr” and “tapalapa” is now set at 150 grams for short bread and 300 grams for long bread. MOTIE will continue working with stakeholders to regulate the quality of bread and enforce the new minimum standard weights through the development of technical regulations.
Furthermore, MOTIE wishes to inform the general public that the Government of The Gambia maintains a liberal trading regime and will not unnecessarily intervene in the price of bread. Government will however regulate the weight and quality to ensure that consumers receive value for money. Government will ensure that competition rules are enforced for fair determination of prices by the market.
MOTIE will work with the Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA) and the Gambia Standards Bureau (TGSB) to ensure that the distribution of bread is consistent with international best practices on food safety.
To minimize the costs along the value chain of bread, all bakeries are free to sell their bread directly to retail outlets (shops) and must not be compelled to sell through middlemen (suppliers).
Any operators found colluding to fix prices of bread will be subject to competition and consumer protection legislation.