Bread consumption in Poland has dropped more than 30 percent over the past 10 years. In such situation about 250-300 bakeries could go bankrupt this year, Rzeczpospolita daily reported.
Household bread consumption could drop to 49.5 kg per capita in 2014, compared to about 50.5 kg in 2013 and over 104 kg in 1990, stated a recent Polish Bread Institute (IPP) forecast.
"Bread consumption has been decreasing for many years because our dietary habits have changed. We eat more snacks and cereals", Wojciech Zdrojowy, president of a bread cooperative in Poznan told Rzeczpospolita.
Small and medium-sized bakeries have been severely affected by this trend. According to Stanislaw Butka, president of an artisan bakers' association, some 500 bakeries may have gone under in 2013 and another 250 could go bankrupt this year.
The IPP puts the current number of bakeries at 8,800-8,900, estimating that 300 went bankrupt last year and expecting a similar figure this year, Rzeczpospolita reported. (PAP)
Ewa Malcher
