The French Polynesian government has heeded a call by bakers and raised the price of bread - the first hike in eight years.

Photo: Supplied / Présidence de la Polynésie française

It has decided to increase the price of a standard bread stick, or baguette, by four Pacific francs or four US cents.

A baguette will now cost 57 Pacific francs or 52 US cents.

Bread is the territory's most common food item and according to regulations, a baguette in French Polynesia must measure between 50 and 60 centimetres and weigh at least 250 grams.

Bakers lobbied for a price increase because their costs, such as staff salaries, had gone up.

Professional bakers get subsidies for flour and fuel, which are worth about $US5 million a year.