“Price of wheat, flour, energy, plus wages, plus packaging products, all the lights are red”, explained Monday, October 25 on franceinfo Dominique Anract, president of the National Confederation of French bakery and pastry. The price of the baguette is expected to increase in many French bakeries. An additional increase for the French who are already suffering from the rise in energy prices.
franceinfo: How much does a baguette cost on average in France? How much will its price increase?
Dominique Anract: It is 0.90 euros on average in the territory. I am not talking about the tradition which is a little more expensive. It would surprise me if we had an increase of 20 cents, even 10 cents would be a lot. In 20 years, the wand took 23 cents, compared to the price of a pack of cigarettes which has tripled, it’s not the same song. There, all the lights are red: price of wheat, flour, energy, plus wages, plus packaging products. In terms of production costs, each baker is responsible for the prices he sets, but it would be logical for there to be an increase.
Has the price of wheat increased significantly?
There, it is 30% this year and it will increase further. It is a problem because we do not buy wheat but flour and inevitably it is passed on. Some millers are covered because they already have contracts, but there is bound to be an increase.
Will the price go up wherever every baker has a choice?
Each baker is responsible in relation to his economic environment and sometimes there are bakers who have not increased for two or three years, because they have a large area next to which they have competition. Sometimes some do not dare.
Are you affected by a labor shortage?
Yes, we have 21,000 positions to fill in bakery and pastry-making, we would like to pay them better but we have charges. When you hire an employee it’s 45% expenses, plus the rest. When you sell a baguette for around a euro you have to make it. We have to keep bakeries because they are a real economic model.