Fruit forces cost of buns up

Big increases in the prices of fruit and flour have put the heat on bakers to raise the price of hot cross buns.

The average price for six of the traditional Easter treats is $9 - or $1.50 each - according to a survey by the Baking Industry Association of New Zealand.

The investigation covered outlets in Christchurch, Wellington and Hawke's Bay. The most expensive was a Christchurch bakery selling buns for $2.50 each - or a whopping $15 for six.

Association executive officer Belinda Jeursen said some bakeries were paying up to $21 for a 25kg bag of flour and higher ingredient costs had to be passed on to consumers.

The Herald on Sunday visited four Auckland bakeries to compare prices, and found Pandoro Panetteria on Queen St the most expensive - selling six buns for $10.20.

Second was Bakers Delight, which has a nationally-fixed price of $9 for half a dozen, up from $7.50, or 20 per cent, on last year.

Third was Rob's Patisserie in Ponsonby, at six for $6.50, with the cheapest, Foodtown's own Fresh Zone buns on special for $3.84.

Pandoro Panetteria director Alana North said the effects of the credit crunch were "huge" but it hadn't affected the quality of their products.

"Everything has been horrible in terms of prices but we think the price we sell them for is acceptable. We don't use any preservatives and additives and we source only the very best fruit and use free-range eggs."

Bakers Delight national manager Colleen Milne said her company's price rise was also designed to maintain quality.

"We are a scratch bakery, which means we bake everything ourselves and nothing is pre-prepared.

"The cost of flour increased a lot last year - we're paying around 50 per cent more - and the price of fruit is always going up."

Rob Burns, owner of Rob's Patisserie in Ponsonby, said he had increased the price of buns over the three years the bakery had been open.

"When we first started they were about $5, then last year that went up to $6 and now they're $6.50," he said.

"The price of flour and dried fruit is just outrageous - fruit especially just marches up all the time. We're just trying to keep ahead of the price curve."

Shoppers spoken to by the Herald on Sunday were "astounded" by some of the prices, but many were willing to pay more for good quality products.

Annette Bingley was shocked at the prices she found at Bakers Delight in Auckland's upmarket St Heliers.

"I came in here to get them for my kids but I didn't realise they'd be $9," she said. "I'm astounded, but they're the best ones so I'll probably come back."

RISING COSTS

The main ingredients of hot cross buns and how much they cost:

Milk - 4.9 per cent increase from Jan 08-09

Eggs - 11.7 per cent increase from Jan 08-09

Butter - 9.9 per cent increase from Jan 08-09

Cinnamon - 8.2 per cent increase from Jan 08-09

Flour - 0.5 per cent increase from Dec 08-Jan 09

Sugar - 2.1 per cent decrease from Dec 08-Jan 09

Currants or raisins - 3.2 per cent increase from Dec 08-Jan 09

Source: Statistics NZ