Food
Confectionery industry is sounding the alarm
Trick or treat? Photo: Henning Kaiser/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
High costs and stagnant supply chains – the confectionery manufacturers fear production slumps to an extent that threatens their existence.
According to their own statements, Germany’s confectionery manufacturers see themselves in the most difficult situation since the founding of the Federal Republic.
According to a statement by the Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI), energy, agricultural raw materials, packaging and transport have become much more expensive. “The Ukraine war is now exacerbating the situation drastically and to an extent that is threatening to exist.” The impending gas shortage is also a sword of Damocles, which in the worst case could lead to production being shut down. Gas is the most important energy source for the industry.
In addition, the market for important raw materials has been emptied and supply chains are no longer functioning. There are hefty increases in purchase prices and delivery problems for wheat, sunflower oil and nuts, for example. Some companies are worried about their existence. According to the BDSI, the load limit has been reached.
“Together with politicians and the food trade, we have to ensure that the shelves in the supermarkets are not empty,” said Bastian Fassin, head of the association. This risk also exists for many confectionery products. Politicians must “examine all measures that help food manufacturers to continue producing”.
As an example, the association proposes a temporary exception to the obligation to declare, according to which what is inside must also be on the label. If the recipe is changed, the packaging must also be printed differently. In view of the scarcity of packaging material, this is currently not so easy – delays are foreseeable, argued the BDSI.
If, for example, rapeseed oil is used instead of the scarce sunflower oil, this should no longer have to be expressly stated on the packaging, demanded the association, which represents manufacturers of sweets and snacks.