In a moment, bakeries and patisseries will be just memories. The accounts of some entrepreneurs have increased by as much as 1,000 percent. compared to last year, writes the Northern Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The organization appeals to the government to support the industry.
After a series of negotiations held by the Northern Chamber of Commerce with West Pomeranian bakers and confectioners, the conclusions, the organization writes, are tragic, emphasizing that artisanal bakeries and patisseries will “become only memories” in a moment. Many interlocutors of the Chamber talk about astronomical bills for gas and electricity. In some cases, the increase in accounts reached 1000% compared to the previous year. There are also labor costs, transportation issues and unpredictable raw material prices. Customers are also leaving, who begin to treat the notorious “coffee and cakes” as premium goods.
- The largest handicraft bakeries and pastry shops can die before our eyes. If there is no reflection and the appeals of this sector of the economy are not heard, or we face spectacular and painful for society bankruptcy or bread for 12 zlotys - says Hanna Moysiuk, President of the Northern Chamber of Commerce in Szczecin. We call for swift action. Bakers have a call to make their profession a protected job. This would allow them to stop the media price spike in their companies and thus survive. he adds.
Astronomical magnifications. Up to 1000 percent
The Northern Chamber of Commerce quoted an entrepreneur who, among other things, runs bakeries. Pomeranian stone. Wiesław Żelec emphasizes that the situation in the entire sector is dramatic. - The bakery is on a bend and some factories can’t keep up. If it’s a sale where the baker has his own stores, he can still deal with it, although he does require the prices to be passed on to the customer. However, if the baker delivers bread to retail stores, hotels or chain stores, then the sale here requires negotiations, which, unfortunately, will not be successful, because, for example, kindergartens or hotels simply cannot agree to higher prices from the week. per week, and, unfortunately, for us bakers, prices go up Zhelek explains.
- Suppliers are forced to achieve the lowest possible prices, and at the moment this means huge losses. I’ve been fighting with some stores for price increases since June and nothing happens he adds.
Jelly shows how much the bills have grown lately. - Since May, the price of gas has increased by 760 percent. There are more strikes in August. Up to 947 percent compared to March. These are unimaginable costs. How much should a bun, bun or bread cost? 10 zł? 12 zlotys? Switching from gas to fuel oil is an investment of millions of zlotys, because it cannot be done overnight. We are in a catastrophic situation and there is no panacea on the horizon for our situation. Apart from industry, we are probably the most energy-intensive industry. Zhelek says.
A 1000% increase in bills compared to last year was for Andrzej Wojciechowski, the owner of a bakery in Szczecin. The entrepreneur explains that he has changed his energy supplier, but he still has to repay his gigantic obligations in installments. He calls the current situation an emergency. - We demand recognition of our profession as subject to protection. This would help us reduce our electricity costs and we could claim compensation. Otherwise, I see our future in black. There are only nine artisan bakeries left in Szczecin. Wojciechowski says.
The confectionery sector is in a similar crisis. Rising prices for flour, eggs and sugar have a serious impact on prices. The interlocutors of the Northern Chamber of Commerce admit that when sugar prices rose, they went to Germany to buy sugar from Polish producers. They emphasize that the current situation is worse than during the pandemic. - The situation is worse than during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prices for everything go up every week. There is no way to plan a budget even a month or two ahead. This is due to the fact that prices are rising, and this is not well received by buyers. The cafe is not an essential product, and we are afraid that every family will give up pleasure at first. The fall in customers is already being felt - says Magdalena Kasyanyuk from one of the pastry shops in Szczecin.
Appeal to the government
The Northern Chamber of Commerce is calling on the government to immediately adopt a program to support artisan bakers and traditional bakers.
- The Government of the Republic of Poland should pay attention to the situation of bakers and take into account their fate. Otherwise, a sector of the economy that boasts great traditions, care and public respect will soon collapse. Polish traditional bread is our pride. Unfortunately, the bakeries will simply close soon. There were several such bankruptcies in the past year. Every small bakery that closes is a big loss for society and the economic traditions of our country. - emphasizes the head of the organization. - We call for a freeze on electricity prices for bakeries and artisan pastry shops. This must happen immediately - adds Anna Moysyuk.
Source: Wprost
