Traditional Christmas sweets could be more expensive this year and the explanation lies not in sugar or flour, but in the value of eggs, which have seen significant increases throughout this year. According to RTP, the cost of half a dozen rose from 1.61 euros at the beginning of January to 2.12 euros on November 19, a difference that corresponds to a variation of more than 31%. This evolution directly impacts seasonal products, such as cakes, desserts and typical pastries, especially at the end of the year, when demand increases.
The same source indicates that the peak price of eggs was reached on October 22, repeating the value of 2.12 euros per box. Before this stabilization, prices rose progressively, with an initial increase in February, when half a dozen rose to 1.62 euros.
From that point on, the upward trajectory began, culminating in the highest value of the year. According to the television station, the evolution was not linear and included moments of acceleration, such as what occurred between March 19 and 26, when the cost rose from 1.70 euros to 2.05 euros.
Eggs drive up costs, sugar and flour ease the bill
Despite the pressure exerted by eggs, other essential ingredients in the Christmas basket have followed the opposite path. White sugar, according to the same source, started the year at 1.26/kg and fell to 1.17 euros on November 19th. This is a reduction of 7.14% compared to the initial value. Even so, the price did not remain constant, reaching 1.30 euros on May 21st and then falling to the minimum recorded on November 12th, when it stood at 1.15/kg.
In the case of cake flour, values also fell. The public channel writes that the price went from 1.83 euros to 1.56/kg in the same period, translating to an overall decrease of 14.75%. The publication recalls that this ingredient cost 1.87 euros on February 19th, repeating the maximum on two later dates, March 19th and May 7th.
However, in autumn there was a sharper decline, with the minimum being recorded on September 24th, when a kilo of flour was 1.57 euros.
More expensive Christmas in the oven and in the pastry shop windows
The aggregate effect of these values may be reflected in the market prices of final products. Even with the drop in sugar and flour, the impact of eggs is enough to increase production costs. The same source states that this dynamic tends to be more noticeable in recipes that require a greater quantity of this ingredient, such as certain traditional pastas and classic desserts during the festive period.
This combination puts additional pressure on consumers and producers. The publication adds that, although there are compensating factors, the reality indicates that anyone who goes shopping with the intention of preparing traditional sweets may notice differences in the invoices. The market maintains demand levels similar to those of previous years, but price formation depends, to a large extent, on the stability or fluctuation of fundamental raw materials such as eggs.
In this year’s balance, while sugar and flour offered relief, the price of eggs remains a determining variable in the final cost of Christmas sweets. The expectation, according to , is that year-end demand will maintain pressure on the ingredient that has become most expensive over the last few months.
Also read:
