Worcester Food

Worcester bakery shares impact of higher costs for eggs

  • Posted by Worcester Food Mar 9 - Filed in News - #Worcester  #food  #Millbury Street  #European Bakery  - 6,216 views

    Egg prices last week were more than double that from 3 months ago, European Bakery says

    WORCESTER — A local bakery is giving people a glimpse of how soaring egg prices are impacting its business.

    European Bakery & Pastry on Millbury Street said it's feeling the pinch as egg prices skyrocket, forcing tough decisions on pricing, staffing, and sustainability.

    The small business known for its famous challah, babka and pączkis, shared its struggle in a Facebook post this week, revealing that the cost of eggs has jumped dramatically.

    The bakery reported spending nearly $2,000 on eggs last week, more than double the amount from just 3 months ago. Compared to 4 years ago, when eggs cost 92 cents per dozen, the price increase is 10 times higher.

    "It's inevitable that we will have to raise prices on all of our egg-based products, but unfortunately, that's a bandage, not a solution," the post read. "When prices rise, sales volume drops. When sales volume is low, labor hours have to drop."

    The bakery, which says it goes through about 350 pounds of eggs even on a slow week, lacks the purchasing power of larger chains, making it harder to absorb the rising costs.

    While owners are hopeful the business can weather the crisis, they acknowledge that the combined effect of rising costs across all aspects of the business has made survival increasingly difficult.

    Despite the challenges, the bakery is urging the community to support small businesses. "We just ask that you bear with us and every other small bakery through this," the post stated.

    European Bakery’s plea reflects a broader struggle among independent food businesses, which often operate on thin margins. As egg prices — and overall costs — continue to rise, the ability of local bakeries, diners, and markets to stay open may depend on the loyalty of their customers.

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