Prices for Christmas desserts will remain stable during the upcoming holiday season, announced the president of the Hellenic Confectionery Federation, Yiannis Glykos, who spoke to Parapolitika 90.1 about how dessert prices will move and the difficulties facing the industry. “If you compromise quality, you’re not eating dessert – you’re eating mud,” emphasized Mr. Glykos, while also discussing the challenges the sector faces due to inflation.
Read: Butter: Record prices leave bakers and confectioners in despair
Christmas cookies & desserts: Rising costs in sweets
“We’re preparing for Christmas,” said Yiannis Glykos speaking on Parapolitika 90.1 radio show “Morning Starting Point” with Eris Panagou. Regarding how dessert prices will move, Mr. Glykos noted that prices will remain stable. “The increases in raw materials happened last year, so prices for traditional Christmas cookies and desserts will be at last year’s levels.” However, as he mentioned, despite the decline in cocoa prices internationally, there has been no reduction in chocolate prices for confectioners. For example: chocolate has gone from €4–4.5/kg to €10–12/kg. According to the president of the Hellenic Confectionery Federation, prices for Christmas desserts will move roughly in the same range as last year, depending on the area and store. Indicatively, he mentioned that prices will be set as follows:
- Honey cookies (melomakarona): €14–17/kg
- Butter cookies (kourabiedes): €15–18/kg
When asked about price increases in sweets and market movement, Mr. Glykos replied: “People are buying less,” emphasizing that sweets are now considered expensive items; a cake costs €25–30, while a pastry has gone from €2 to €3.5–4.
Regarding the difficulties facing the sector, Mr. Glykos mentioned that approximately 150 pastry shops have closed down. “What has ‘killed’ us is energy,” he clarified, as electricity bills have doubled. “For example, from €3,500–4,000 for the shop, I now pay €6,500–7,000 per month.” As he pointed out, professionals struggle to meet rent, taxes, contributions, and VAT. “We’ve become tax collectors,” he emphasized.
When asked about business structure and labor costs
“Family businesses can hold on better. Those who have employees find things very difficult, especially with the implementation of the ‘work card’ system.” He also emphasized that new overtime regulations have increased costs, while social security contributions to IKA keep rising.
Regarding competition and market prices, the president of the Hellenic Confectionery Federation highlighted that there are large chains selling cheaper products by using lower-quality raw materials. However, the president emphasizes that quality is everything: “If you compromise quality, you’re not eating dessert – you’re eating mud.“
