A real outbreak. Marianne compared the price of five frangipanes and other kings’ crowns in supermarkets between 2019 and 2025. Result: a surge in prices of 37.9% on average, or two and a half times the monetary erosion.
The matter is settled: this year, the Epiphany bill risks being steep. The fault is the price of eggs, outbid by avian flu, of energy but especially of butter which reached a historic level in 2024. In one year, the cost of a ton of butter rose from 5,500 to more than 8,000 euros, if we are to believe Paul Boivin, the general director of the FEB (Federation of Bakery and Pastry Companies). However, this ingredient accounts for half the weight of a frangipane pancake.
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As shown by the evolution of the price of some flagship products sold in supermarkets, since 2019, the increase is generalized whether it concerns pastries sold in the fresh, grocery or frozen sections; frangipane products or kings’ crowns. Obviously, almost everything increases. Everyone says it and INSEE calculates it: for six years, the general price index has increased by 15.3%. But pancakes show much higher increases. The readings carried out by Marianne in the main supermarkets is enough to be convinced: the basket composed of five flagship Epiphany pastries has sold on average, since 2019, 37.9% more expensive. Or 2.5 times the inflation rate.
The prize goes to the frangipane pancake for 8 people sold in the E.Leclerc pastry section, the real price of which – once deducting the monetary erosion calculated by INSEE – has increased in six years by 26.7%. Next comes the Pasquier frangipane king galette in a maxi-format version of 600 g. With its collection of beans representing the eight planets of our solar system, this year it displays a price increase of 23.25% at Carrefour compared to the 2019 edition of the same format. The crown of kings brioche with fresh eggs and its sugar pearls from Cooperative U? Its price jumped 22.5%. Finally, at Auchan, we find the Crousti France frozen frangipane king cake and its pure butter puff pastry (+17.45%) and the natural Fournée Dorée crown of kings (+8.51%).
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It remains to be seen who, manufacturers or mass retail brands, benefited the most from the price increase to increase their margins on this flagship Epiphany product. In any case, at this price, he could well turn a bean into gold.
The price statement for “Marianne”:
Frozen frangipane king cake Crousti France 450g:
2019 : 7€31/kg => €8.42/kg adjusted for inflation.
2025: €4.45, i.e. 9.89€/kg
Actual increase: +17.45%
(Prices recorded at Auchan)
Frangipane galette in the Leclerc pastry department for 8 people:
2019: €6.99/piece=> 8€05/piece adjusted for inflation
2025 : 10.20€/pièce
Actual increase: +26.7%
(Price noted at Leclerc)
Pasquier frangipane king cake 600g:
2019 : 8,32€/kg => €9.59/kg adjusted for inflation
2025 : 11,82€/kg
Actual increase: +23.25%
(Prices recorded at Carrefour)
Crown of kings brioche U nature 450g:
2019 : 5€67€/kg => 6.53€/kg adjusted for inflation
2025 : 8€/kg
Actual increase: +22.5%
(prices found at U)
The crown of kings natural Fournée Dorée 350g:
2019 : 6,83€/kg => 7,87€/kg adjusted for inflation
2025 : 8,54€/kg
Actual increase: +8.51%
(Prices recorded at Auchan)
