The city of Aden’s Residents reported Tuesday that a number of bakeries and ovens have shut down in Crater, Al-Mualla, Al-Tawahi, and Al-Bureiqa zones, in protest against a decision by the local authority to reduce the price of a loaf of bread (roti) to 50 riyals.
The Professional Bakers and Ovens Association had previously warned of an imminent strike if the new pricing were imposed, describing the decision as ill-considered and not based on realistic standards or an accurate assessment of production costs.
The association’s head, Abduljalil Abdu Ahmed, said that prices of basic commodities and the exchange rate have remained stable for months, noting that the decision includes unreasonable weight specifications for the loaf—down to just 40 grams—causing significant losses for bakeries and reducing the nutritional value available to consumers.
Ahmed warned that some bakeries may halt production entirely if the authorities insist on enforcing the decision, calling for a review of the pricing in consultation with the union to reach a balance between protecting consumers and ensuring the continued operation of bakeries.
Aden’s residents are currently facing a severe bread shortage as a result of the strike, amid growing concerns over its impact on the people’s daily food security.