Astonishingly, a loaf of regular white bread costs more on average in the US than any other country, according to Numbeo. Americans pay inflated prices for the essential, given the US is the fourth-biggest wheat producer and bakes the most bread in the world. Abundant domestic production and vast economies of scale should translate to lower prices, but they don't.

Competition-thwarting market concentration and the focus of large bread manufacturers on maximising profits may be the underlying causes. According to UK newspaper The Guardian, the US bread industry is heavily monopolised. Much of the market is controlled by Grupo Bimbo, which owns Sara Lee, Arnold, Mrs Baird's Bread and many more baked goods brands. The other big player is Flowers Foods, the parent of America's leading bread brand Nature's Own, as well as Wonder and Home Pride, to name but a few.

Now discover the world’s most expensive countries to live in 2025

Which countries pay the most and least for bread and why?