Unexpected consequence of the bluetongue epidemic: cows produce less milk and lead to an increase in the price of butter, essential for pastries. In one month, the prices of oily gold increased by 15%. An increase which is added to the previous ones… note the bakers.
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In bakeries, customers think twice before stocking up on croissants and other pain au chocolat. Prices have generally increased by around ten cents, but this hides another reality: in certain businesses, prices have not changed since the summer, when the cost per kilo of butter soared. In others, pain au chocolat costs almost 1.40 euros!
In a first bakery, the owner could not ignore it. At the start of the summer, he put his croissants at 1.20 euros, an increase of 10 cents. “We juggle between suppliers to find the one that is the cheapest, while maintaining the quality of the product.”, recognizes Guillaume Cappello, manager of the La Belle Farinière bakery, in Lavilledieu.
About thirty kilometers away, in Rochemaure, in the Rhône valley, one of his colleagues is still hesitant to raise his prices. “ We had a bad surprise when we returned from vacation”, explains Cédric Perret, co-president of the Professional Group of Bakers of Ardèche, which brings together more than 80 points of sale. But his invoices remind him that the difference between the cost price and the selling price is starting to be felt.
The kilo of butter varies, depending on the suppliers, between 9 and 12 euros. So, in order not to overplay the increase in this essential raw material and thus maintain the purchasing power of its customers, it is considering joining forces with other bakers to pool purchases of raw materials, including butter. History of having more influence with his colleagues in negotiations on prices.
It must be remembered that bakers had suffered the counter-shock of the increase in energy prices, particularly electricity. It was last year. If we count the sugar, the chocolate (+ 30%), the eggs, the flour which could rise, the bill starts to be steep… It worries the profession.
With scarcity often driving up prices, butter is a victim of the tension that has impacted milk production since bluetongue (BFT) hit farms. On average, breeders have noted the death of one to two animals per herd. And a growing number of sick animals, in poor condition and therefore incapable of producing milk normally.
Example from a farmer who noted around twenty milkmaids affected by the disease: “ I recorded 15 to 20% losses in milk production, that represented 5,000 liters less in the month of September. Our cows have a fever, they have lost their appetite and are lame. We had to call in the veterinarian, there too it incurs costs.”
The tension on the milk market is central. In the coming months, everything will depend on whether cattle health conditions improve or not. It is then that we will know if pain au chocolat will enter the closed circle of luxury items and products.