Should we expect a surge in the price of king cakes? Faced with a significant increase in butter, the main raw material of this emblematic holiday cake, bakers should however limit the impact on consumers, estimates the Federation of Bakery and Pastry Companies.
While many households are preparing to enjoy a galette des rois, and perhaps find the bean, on this first Sunday in January 2025, the increase in the price of this festive cake threatens the stock market. A concern justified by the surge in the price of butter which constitutes the main raw material in the recipe for the delicious galette des rois. “The butter represents a quarter of the almond cream and almost half in the puff pastry”reminds Paul Boivin, general director of the FEB (Federation of bakery and pastry companies), to our colleagues at France Blue.
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And to highlight the increase in the cost of raw materials for bakery players: “In two years, the share of raw materials has gone from 23% of bakers’ turnover to 26-28%.” Is the surge in butter likely to significantly increase the cost of galettes des rois? The expert expects a limited impact on consumers’ wallets.
Galettes des rois: “Bakers will often cut back on their margins”
The cost of making a galette des rois is automatically inflated by the rise in the price of butter. “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,” continues Paul Boivin. However, this ensures that the increase will not be felt by consumers. “The manufacturing cost will therefore increase, but bakers will often cut back on their margins”he estimated.
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Should we expect a change in the prices of the galette des rois? The director of the FEB estimates that increases should be limited to a few cents in most bakeries in France. “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 share, or they will not increase. But it will be wise”, assures the head of the Confederation.
What is the average price of a galette des rois?
Depending on their purchasing power, consumers can turn to supermarkets or bakeries to enjoy a galette des rois on this first weekend of January 2025. The price is logically more affordable in supermarkets. “A pancake 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.recalls Paul Boivin.
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And if the increase in the price of butter should not be felt by consumers, it seriously hampers the activity of bakers for whom the galette des rois represents approximately “15% of the annual turnover”.
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