Taiz -- Bakeries across the Yemeni city of Taiz launched a comprehensive strike on Sunday, October 13, in protest against a new directive by local authorities mandating the sale of bread by weight at a fixed price of 1,200 Yemeni rials per kilogram. 

The move has triggered a severe bread shortage and sparked public outcry amid already dire living conditions in the war-torn city.

The strike, organized by bakery owners and supported by the local bakers’ syndicate, led to the closure of nearly all ovens and bakeries in Taiz. Shop owners argue that the imposed pricing system fails to account for the rising costs of flour, fuel, and other production inputs, making it economically unsustainable to continue operations under the new regulation.

“We categorically reject the decision to sell bread by weight at a fixed price,” one bakery owner told Yemen Monitor. “It does not reflect the reality of our production costs, and if enforced, it will force many of us out of business.”

The strike has had an immediate impact on residents, many of whom were seen lining up outside the few remaining shops still selling bread. By midday, most neighborhoods in Taiz were experiencing a full-scale bread crisis, with families unable to secure basic food supplies.

Local authorities have defended the decision as a measure to protect consumers from price manipulation and ensure fair access to bread. However, critics argue that the policy was implemented without proper consultation or consideration of market dynamics.

The situation has reignited tensions between the business community and the local government, with calls for urgent dialogue to resolve the standoff. Humanitarian observers warn that the disruption of bread supply in a city already grappling with food insecurity could exacerbate the suffering of vulnerable populations.

Taiz, one of Yemen’s most densely populated cities, has long been at the center of the country’s humanitarian crisis, with frequent clashes, blockades, and economic instability compounding the challenges faced by its residents.