The Franz family of four is at the Christmas market in Bonn. “If each one of us eats only a bratwurst with fries and has a drink as well, it’s at least 34 euros,” says the mother Monika as she studies prices at a stand on Friedensplatz. There, a bratwurst with fries costs 6 euros, a Krakauer Bratwurst 6.50 euros. The mulled wine price is the same as last year - 2.50 euros.

“Up to now, hardly anyone has complained about the prices,” says an employee at the bratwurst stand. “Seldom do you hear anyone say that it’s too expensive, but quality has its price,” he reflects. For stand operators, energy costs have gone up as well as the cost of their food ingredients. Crepe stand operators Marcel Rüwe and Michelle Levy from Cologne charge 3 euro for a crepe. This may seem a lot to some customers, but Levy says, “We only use original products.” It’s about quality.

More expensive than in previous years is the “Reibekuchen” which used to cost 3 euro for three pieces but now costs 3.50 for 3 pieces (without apple sauce which costs extra). Anita Schultz, who operates a stand across the pyramid, explains “This is because the price of potatoes rose so much.”

Gerti Lorenz sells “Flammlachs” (flaming salmon) on a bread roll and her price has gone from 6 euros last year to 7 euros this season. “Prices for salmon have risen by 50 percent,” she says. “They are at a 30-year high. That’s why we have to raise the price by one euro per serving,” she explains.

Markus Schmidt of the city press office says, “We have no influence on the prices set by food stand operators.” Because of a surplus from previous years, the city was actually able to reduce the rental cost of the stands by 5.2 percent. Orig. text: Lisa Inhoffen