Despite increased allocations, rising demand fuels Homs countryside bread crisis

The bread supply crisis in Taldu town in northern Homs countryside remains unresolved, according to ANHA correspondents, despite a decision by the Homs Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection to increase flour allocations for operating bakeries by two additional sacks per bakery per day. The measure was taken in response to repeated complaints from residents, but it has failed to end daily shortages or reduce overcrowding at bakeries and distribution points.

Residents say the latest increase eased some pressure but remains below actual needs, amid a significant rise in the number of people who have returned to the town in recent years. This has increased demand for bread at a rate exceeding the current production capacity.

A comparison between the town’s situation before 2011 and today highlights the gap in securing bread supplies. Taldu previously had a population of around 25,000 people, with five bakeries meeting residents’ needs through daily allocations of 132 sacks of flour. Today, the population exceeds 40,000, while only two bakeries remain operational. Before the latest increase, their allocations did not exceed 68 sacks of flour per day, leading to lower production and a daily shortage of the essential commodity.

Residents say the situation has directly affected their daily lives, as queues begin at dawn outside bakeries and distribution agents. Supplies run out before all families receive their allocations, forcing many people to return home without bread.

The owner of one bakery explained that before the latest decision, his bakery received 35 sacks of flour per day, producing around 1,800 bundles of bread. Most of the production was distributed through authorized agents, while only around 200 bundles were sold directly to citizens, a quantity insufficient to meet increasing demand.

Another bakery owner said the increase of two flour sacks per bakery eased some pressure but did not address the root of the problem. He noted that each bakery needs around 10 additional sacks daily to cover residents’ needs, meaning the town requires nearly 100 sacks of flour per day to meet current demand.

The situation among distribution agents is not much different. Several agents said the number of registered families exceeds the quantities they receive, resulting in daily shortages and bread running out before reaching all eligible households.

Residents’ suffering is not limited to shortages in quantity but also extends to bread quality. Complaints continue over bread drying quickly, crumbling, and inconsistent standards. Residents have called for improving production quality alongside increasing allocations, saying bread quality is as important as availability.

Meanwhile, the Homs Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection said it responded to complaints from Taldu after conducting a field assessment of bakery conditions. It approved an increase of two flour sacks per bakery per day, adding that its teams continue to evaluate the area’s supply needs and are prepared to increase allocations in the future or issue licenses for new bakeries if studies confirm an actual need.

Local sources indicate that the directorate is also reviewing the situation of bakeries operating in northern Homs countryside in light of population growth and the return of thousands of residents to their areas, aiming to redistribute allocations according to population density and ensure stable bread production while reducing daily overcrowding.

Taldu residents believe that increasing flour allocations is a positive step but remains insufficient to fundamentally resolve the crisis. They are demanding a review of the flour quantities allocated to the town based on the current population, the reopening of closed bakeries or establishment of new ones, as well as improving bread quality to end the daily struggle of thousands of families waiting in bread lines to secure their basic needs. 

A-H 

ANHA