According to FranceAgriMer, the price of pasteurized butter sold in Rungis has increased by around 40% over one year, but it represents half the weight of a frangipane pancake,
The sharp rise in the price of butter will increase the cost of production of the approximately 60 million galettes des rois sold at the start of the year, but should not penalize consumers too much, according to professionals in the sector.
“Butter, which represents half the weight of a frangipane pancake, increased this year from 5,500 to more than 8,000 euros per ton. Added to this are increases in wages and energy. The cost of manufacturing will therefore increase, but bakers will often cut back on their margin”, estimated Paul Boivin, general director of the FEB (Federation of bakery and pastry companies).
According to the public establishment FranceAgriMer, the price of pasteurized butter sold in Rungis has increased by around 40% over one year.
“The pancakes, sold over seven to eight weeks, represent around 15% of the annual turnover of bakeries and the bakery departments of supermarkets: it is therefore a real shortfall,” added the general director of the Federation , which brings together major manufacturers and bakery chains.
Time bomb
“A cake is sold on average for 4 to 12 euros in supermarkets and 17 to 30 euros at an artisan baker. But as the purchase remains one-off, the consumer does not necessarily realize the increases, if they take place,” recognizes -he.
In addition to butter, other key ingredients in pancakes have also seen their prices rise, adds Dominique Anract, president of the National Confederation of French Bakeries and Pastries, such as eggs, affected by avian flu. Their price rose to 14 euros per 100 eggs in December compared to 10 euros this summer, according to FranceAgriMer.
“Butter represents a quarter of almond cream and almost half in the puff pastry. In two years, the share of raw materials has increased from 23% of bakers' turnover to 26-28%,” notes -he.
“The bakers need to watch their accounts, otherwise it's a time bomb. They could increase their prices slightly, in the order of 10 to 20 cents, or even 50 cents per slice, or they won't increase. But it will be wise “, assures the head of the Confederation.
The pancakes remain a flagship product for the 35,000 bakeries in France: “each sells on average 500 to 2,000 pancakes during this period, 4,000 to 5,000 for the best placed and up to 10,000 for the winner of the Prize for the best pancake”, concludes -he.
