French Polynesia govt raises price of baguette

12:33 pm on 15 November 2019

The French Polynesian government has heeded a call by bakers and raised the price of bread - the first hike in eight years.

Bakers in French Polynesia have lobbied the government to raise the price of the common bread stick, or baguette.

Bakers in French Polynesia lobbied the government to raise the price of the common bread stick, or baguette. Photo: Supplied / Présidence de la Polynésie française

It has decided to increase the price of a standard bread stick, or baguette, by four Pacific francs or four US cents.

A baguette will now cost 57 Pacific francs or 52 US cents.

Bread is the territory's most common food item and according to regulations, a baguette in French Polynesia must measure between 50 and 60 centimetres and weigh at least 250 grams.

Bakers lobbied for a price increase because their costs, such as staff salaries, had gone up.

Professional bakers get subsidies for flour and fuel, which are worth about $US5 million a year.