Fines imposed on bread distributors are reaching tens of thousands of GEL, putting significant financial pressure on producers and indirectly increasing the final price of bread, says Bread Bakers’ Association head Malkhaz Dolidze. He explains that delivering a primary consumption product like bread on time has become increasingly difficult due to restrictions on parking and movement in yellow-line zones.
According to Dolidze, many bakeries are accumulating massive fines simply for stopping their vehicles while unloading goods. Some stores demand deliveries three times a day, forcing distribution vehicles into situations where violations are unavoidable. “One factory already owes GEL 25,000, another GEL 27,000 in fines. This burden inevitably affects production costs and, ultimately, bread prices,” he warns, urging the Tbilisi Mayor’s Office and City Council to intervene.
Distribution logistics pose another challenge: Tbilisi consumes up to 400 tons of bread daily, with most stores requesting delivery between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. Dolidze argues that the situation could be eased by partially restoring nighttime supply, which previously accounted for at least 30% of deliveries but has now “completely collapsed.” Without night reception staff, stores push all deliveries into already congested morning hours.
Bread prices rose by about 10 tetri in November, and the sector attributes part of this increase to fines and rising operating expenses. To prevent further price hikes, bakeries are asking City Hall to simplify rules for bread delivery vehicles and reconsider the current restrictions that make distribution excessively costly.
