Consumers are being told to brace for a hike in the price of bread.

The Bakers Association says while it cannot dictate to members what to do, it supports the rationale behind the price hike.

The current cost for hard dough bread is about $300.

President of the Association Winston Piper says the rate of increase and the date of implementation will be imposed by individual bakeries.

Mr. Piper says the pending increase in bread prices is due to the jump in input costs for bakers, over time.

He says the bakers have long contemplated raising the cost of bread, and have only now agreed that they can no longer absorb the costs, and they have to be passed on to the consumer.