With a busy life in modern times, especially, in cities, fast food has become an alternative that keeps people going.
It satisfies their hunger and their need for refreshment while sparing them the time it takes, to make home-made food, in order to meet up with their busy schedules.
The pastry business has always provided a variety of fast food, for the world populace. Its products, like bread, biscuits, cakes, cookies, doughnut, meat pies, sausage rolls and other bakery-related food/snacks are, widely, consumed and help meet the nutritional needs of a busy world, where time, they say, is money.
Pastry products are channeled to a vast target market and have been a good source of income, for entrepreneurs, ranging from small scale pastry bakers, street hawkers, shop keepers, to large outfits, such as bakeries, eateries, restaurants and pastry service outfits.
These products are available as fast food for workers, a light refreshment for social events like birthday, wedding, anniversaries, religious, political and corporate functions.
Pastry products are, also, consumed on a large scale, by pupils, students and staff in various academic settings and the general public at large.
The COVID-19 pandemic has, however, taken its toll, on every sphere of our lives, with cities and remote communities, in the countries of the world, on lockdown, all in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
The lockdown has brought about the closure of schools and businesses, with many people working from home, ban on social activities, restriction on transportation, as well as the medical advice, for everyone, to maintain social distancing.
All these have combined, to adversely affect, many businesses and the pastry business, is not an exception, as it is not immune, to the challenges of COVID-19.
Operators in the pastry business are experiencing hard times, as well, owing to the effects of the lockdown.
The COVID-19 has affected the pastry industry in the following ways:
Low patronage
The days preceding the first 14-day lockdown in some States, saw many people shopping for food and supplies that they will need, while staying at home.
They mostly, went for dry foodstuffs with long lasting shelf life, going low on pastries that do not last long in storage.
Increase in the cost of production
Operators in the pastry business have, also, witnessed a huge increase in the cost of producing the various snacks, during this period of lockdown, as COVID-19 is still raging.
This is making it difficult for those that are still engaged in making these pastries, to break even, as they are finding it difficult to pass the excessive cost to the consumers.
The general inflation in the cost of raw materials, for making the pastries, has been attributed to the astronomical increase, in the transportation cost, charged the sellers, due to the lockdown caused by the pandemic.
Closure of business due to logistic problem
As a result of the lockdown, caused by COVID-19, many pastry businesses have had to close shop, as the makers, live very far, from the business centres, or, environment where they sell their pastries.
This is, as a result of their inability, to find commuters to their business environment, at this period.
Preference for cooking for families rather than going for pastries
Now, more than ever before, many people have members of their families together, in one place, at all times and prefer to feed them with home-cooked food, rather than settling for pastry products.
Many, also, believe that it is, more economical to make food at home, than it is, to order for pastry food. Besides, people are on lockdown, they seem to have more time to cook and make home-made dishes and would rather save some money, while being at home, as COVID-19 ravages on.
Some large pastry outlets are still open but service only takeaways
Despite COVID-19, some large pastry outlets are still open, to the public, for some hours, during the day.
They are, however, not allowed to serve sit-in patrons in their outlets, but only serve takeaways.
As we all know, staying safe is a topmost priority, for now, so, do not let our guards down on all the safety protocols to save you from contracting COVID-19.
Take responsibility, by washing your hands often, use hand sanitizers, avoid crowded places, observe social distancing and keep staying strong. These times shall pass.
Featured Image: africapresslist
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