Cookies in sight: Dumping prices endanger Lower Austrian bakers!

Cookies in sight: Dumping prices endanger Lower Austrian bakers!

In the Christmas baking season, a scandal causes excitement among Austrian bakers. According to ORF-NÖ, the Lower Austrian baker's guild master Christian Heiss has the nose full of privately sold biscuits, which are offered in large quantities and so-called "dumping prices". "They offer 200 to 300 kilos, each 30 euros per kilo," complains Heiss. In contrast, the usual price is 50 euros per kilo. If several hobby bakers undercut these prices, the professional bakeries immediately feel the effects.

Heiss warns that these "illegal" sales could not only violate tax and commercial law provisions, but also bring serious hygienic risks. Small quantities can be sold without special devices, but many private sellers produce much more, which is no longer considered a legal domestic employment. "There are some that make 400 to 500 kilos," continued Heiss. These private bakers bypass the required hygiene guidelines and often question the mandatory labeling of their cookies. These cookies contain numerous ingredients such as doughs, glazes and jams, all of which must be given on a label, which means a considerable additional effort for the hobby bakers.

private biscuit sale on the advance

The anger among the professional bakers is growing over this trend because the competitive conditions seem unfair, consumers also know that they can buy these products at cheaper prices on the street or online. The price differentiation means that many customers are tried to use the hobby bakers directly, which often do not have to meet the necessary requirements. In the future, this could lead to decisive quality standards within the industry, while the situation for the professionally working companies continues to worsen.