Syrian Deputy Economy Minister Affirms Bread Price Stability Amid Fuel Hike

Syrian Deputy Economy Minister Maher Al-Hassan has assured citizens that the price and weight of a bundle of bread will not be affected by the recent fuel price hike, which he attributed to rising global oil prices. This statement comes amidst widespread concern among Syrians regarding the impact of fuel increases on essential consumer goods, especially bread. Al-Hassan elaborated on the mechanism adopted by the ministry to maintain bread price stability, despite the increased fuel costs associated with flour transportation and bakery operations. He stated that the ministry compensated for the rising production costs by reducing the price of a ton of flour designated for bread from 20,000 Syrian Pounds to 15,000 Syrian Pounds. This measure increased the bread subsidy rate from 60% to 70%, aiming to ensure the stability of the commodity and its availability to all citizens. The official sought to reassure Syrians, who strongly protested the decision to raise fuel prices, emphasizing that consumer protection bodies are monitoring bread production and distribution across all governorates. He asserted that authorities would not hesitate to take the strictest legal actions against anyone attempting to tamper with the weight or price of bread bundles or exploit circumstances to illegally inflate prices. The Syrian Ministry of Energy had justified the increase in petroleum derivative prices in the country by citing an "exceptional" rise in global procurement costs for these derivatives, coupled with simultaneous maintenance work at the Baniyas refinery. The ministry affirmed that this increase is temporary and aims to ensure continuous supplies and availability in the local market. Following the announcement of the fuel price hike, various regions across the country witnessed angry protests. Demonstrators resorted to blocking main roads and setting tires on fire, vowing not to end their protests unless the government reverses the decision, which many believe directly impacts all economic sectors in Syria.