The shortage of raw materials which has been affecting Europe for several months will have a direct effect on sales of galettes des rois in France. Indeed, the recent surge in the prices of butter and eggs will automatically increase the price of this traditional Epiphany dessert.
An even higher bill. Due to the sudden rise in the price of butter, in line with increases in the price of main raw materials in Europe in recent months, the price of king cakes sold in France will quickly inflate.
“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,” underlined Paul Boivin, the general manager. of the Federation of Bakery and Pastry Companies (FEB).
Butter rose from 5,500 to more than 8,000 euros per tonne in 2024
This increase in the price of galettes des rois is largely explained by the surge in butter prices on wholesale markets. According to the public establishment FranceAgriMer, the price of pasteurized butter sold in Rungis has increased by around 40% over one year.
“Butter, which represents half the weight of a frangipane pancake, increased this year from 5,500 euros to more than 8,000 euros per ton. Added to this are wage and energy increases. The manufacturing cost will therefore increase, but bakers will often cut back on their margin,” summarized Paul Boivin.
An explosion in raw material prices
In addition to butter, many raw materials have seen their prices explode in recent months due to inflation. “The butter represents a quarter of the 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%,” underlined the general director of the FEB.
Other key ingredients in pancakes such as eggs have seen their prices soar due to bird flu. Their price thus rose to 14 euros per 100 eggs in December, compared to 10 euros this summer, according to FranceAgriMer.
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,” he said. recalled Paul Boivin.
In total, nearly 60 million galettes des rois are sold each year in France. These are on sale for between 4 and 12 euros in supermarkets, compared to 17 to 30 euros at an artisan baker.
