Ice cream is getting more expensive than ever - soon two euros for a scoop?

Groceries are becoming more and more expensive – including ice cream.

Experts explain what is behind the rise in costs and whether the ice cream price is legitimate.

Hamburg – On the first sunny days in spring, many people walk past an ice cream parlour.

After all, the first ice cream of the year is something special for young and old.

However, the price should scare many.

A scoop of ice cream now costs between 1.70 and 2.50 euros in the major cities – and the trend is rising.

Is such a price increase justified?

Ice cream price 2023: A scoop of ice cream is up to 40 cents more expensive

In many places, a scoop of ice cream now costs an average of 20 to 40 cents more than last year.

Even small towns experience this price increase.

The reason for this is the rising food prices since Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine.

"I pay 60 percent more for sugar than last year, 40 percent for ice cream cones, over 100 percent for dextrose, and the locust bean gum binder costs me 250 percent more," says Davina Utz, owner of the "True & 12" ice cream parlor "Der Spiegel

.

Added to this are the higher electricity, wage and rental costs.

The Federal Statistical Office speaks of a 30 percent increase in producer prices for ice cream within a year.

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Ice cream is becoming more expensive due to rising food and energy prices.

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© picture alliance / Holger Hollemann/dpa |

Holger Holleman

Why does a scoop of ice cream cost two euros?

“Everything has become more expensive.

The costs of ice cream production are also increasing," says Annalisa Carino, spokeswoman for the Association of Italian Ice Cream Manufacturers in

.

Compared to other countries, ice cream in Germany is still cheap.

The price of most products increases continuously - this is different for ice cream, as the price is only adjusted once a year.

"So the price jump is psychologically perceived much more strongly by the consumer," explains Michael Grömling, economics expert at the German Economic Institute.

The minimum wage also has a greater impact on the price of ice cream than on most other foods.

According to Grömling, many employees in ice cream parlors would work for minimum wage.

There is also the risk of bad weather and overproduction – all of which are included in the price.

Occasionally, however, there could be owners who still want to make a profit from the already rising costs.

However, that is not the rule.

Ball Prize: Memories of the Prize from childhood days

In addition, the problem with the price of ice cream is that everyone can remember the ball price in childhood.

"Ice cream brings back nostalgic memories for Germans," says Carnio.

The ice cream makers are also craftsmen who produce a quality product.

Ice cream is a luxury.

"The generally increased costs are visible in ice cream like in a magnifying glass," says Grömling.

So the ice cream price is a reflection of the already rising food and energy costs.

List of rubrics: © Petra Schneider-Schmelzer/imago