This article first appeared on RTL.de
Sugar, milk, fruit – everything has become more expensive. In Berlin, a scoop of ice cream has already been spotted for three euros, and prices across Germany have risen by around 20 percent. Ice inflation will be particularly noticeable in 2023.
But why is it that ice cream prices are skyrocketing? RTL asked the ice cream parlors.
In an ice cream parlor in Cologne, a scoop of ice cream now costs 1.70 euros, compared to 1.50 euros last year. Ice cream parlor operator Vlora explains the increase: Compared to last year, she has to dig much deeper into her pockets for raw materials. The price of sugar has almost doubled, and fruit has become around 20 percent more expensive. That drives up the costs.
“When I produce ice cream, I need milk and milk has become more expensive. The prices for other products used in ice cream production have also risen,” confirms Annalisa Carnio from the Union of Italian Ice Cream Manufacturers in Germany. Many ice cream parlor operators can therefore not avoid taking more money for the ball.
But it’s not just the ingredients that have become more expensive. Other factors hit the operators cold as ice. In an ice cream parlor in Hamburg, a scoop of ice cream now costs 2.40 euros. Ice cream parlor operator Markus has 20 percent higher personnel costs since the minimum wage has risen. Added to this are higher energy costs.
“Ice cream parlors produce, store and sell with electricity. The increased energy prices are an important factor. The increased personnel costs are also causing problems for the ice cream parlors,” adds association spokeswoman Annalisa Carnio in an interview with RTL.
Despite the high prices, most ice cream fans don’t want to go without their scoop of ice cream this year either. They tell you why in the video above.
