As a result of the war in Ukraine, the price of wheat has risen sharply worldwide. Ukraine is also referred to as the breadbasket of Europe and – together with Russia – is responsible for almost a third of the world’s wheat production. However, bread does not become more expensive everywhere in the city, such as at Hartog’s Volkoren on Wibautstraat.
Owner Fred Tiggelman expects that his bread prices will not rise until the summer. His wheat comes from farmers in the Haarlemmermeerpolder and Hartog – as the only baker in the Netherlands – makes flour from it himself. “In addition to being a baker, we are also a miller.” And that makes it flexible in times of crisis. “We are often asked why bread is becoming more expensive at other bakers and not at ours. Then we explain that we manage all the chains ourselves and that it is not necessary.”
In addition, Tiggelman already bought a large stock of wheat last year. “I actually suspected that there would be unrest in the commodity trade because of a war in Ukraine.”
Also in the Second World War, Hartog bakery did not raise prices. “The situation was different then, but then for years after the war we were told by customers that they appreciated that our bread price was not abused. With the information from then we want to do the same again. going up with the price then that is really necessary, but not because we want to make higher margins.”
If the bread prices at Hartog are going to rise, it won’t be by many. “As far as the grain price is concerned, we certainly don’t have to go up yet. But the energy prices, the butter prices, the dairy prices and those of oil … that will be a thing. So we will certainly go up, but minimally.”