A croquette, cheese soufflé or fries are considerably more expensive. The frying industry is worried and sounds the alarm. Energy costs are sky-high and prices are rising even further due to the war in Ukraine. Zaandam entrepreneur Fred Voskuil keeps a close eye on the price increases on a daily basis: “It is unimaginable where this should go.”
Fred Voskuil, better known as Fred Kroket from Westzaan, does not know how to respond to the price increases as an entrepreneur. “Do you have to change your price every week to keep your margins good?”, the entrepreneur asks NH Radio.
Not only the energy bill, the sauces have also become more expensive. Fred: “The mayonnaise, the fat pots, they are flying out of the pan. They have increased in price by 35 percent two weeks ago.”
Panic
Fred still sounds calm, but many entrepreneurs are in a panic, according to Frans van Rooij, director of the Association of Professional Fryers. “In some cases, the energy bill has already tripled, but is now becoming unaffordable. The war in Ukraine has caused the gas price to skyrocket even further. An average neighborhood cafeteria a year ago spent 1200 euros per month on gas and electricity, now it is more than 3600 euros.”
To survive, the croquettes have to become more expensive. Fred: “I think we’ll be around €2.20 – €2.30.” Last year a croquette at Fred cost €1.80. The entrepreneur therefore does not take any risk: “I will immediately order frying oil again, because indeed, the prices are shooting up and the price you pay this week is not the price you will pay next week. we’re going to order another pallet.”
cry for help
The Association of Professional Fryers calls on the Ministry of Economic Affairs to take action. “The corona recovery plan is already on the agenda to be discussed, but that has not yet been started. Now entrepreneurs are already confronted with the next crisis. Several catering businesses are dealing with this, but chip shops are hit the hardest. If there is no support I’m afraid a lot of companies won’t survive this.”