"We are on an unlimited strike. We've stopped production because we can't continue to work at a loss," said the president of the National Federation of Bakers of Senegal, Amadou Gaye.

"The price of a sack of (imported) flour has risen from 14,000 CFA francs (21.3 euros / 30 dollars) to 20,600 (31.4 euros) since September. We don't understand why the price of a baguette loaf of bread should remain at 150 CFA francs (0.22 euros) and not go up to 175 CFA francs (0.26 euros)," Gaye explained.

In Senegal the price of bread is fixed by the ministry of trade.

According to the FNBS, "more than 80 bakeries have closed in Dakar in the past month."

"We are wondering if this is not an operation to shut down the bakers," Gaye said.

Bread, which is a widely consumed staple in Senegal, was not to be found on Monday morning in many parts of the capital, particularly the suburbs, residents said.

"Nobody has yet called us in for negotiations," Gaye said.