A Zurich bakery sells braids for 18 francs per kilo

But how to explain the high prices? asked Ellen Housman for 20 minutes. The managing director of the bakery of the same name says: “In the end, it’s like many other products: the choice of ingredients combined with craftsmanship determines the price.”

For example, she uses only Swiss products for her braids. “Butter from Switzerland, eggs from the barn and free-range, IPS flour, Valais salt and yeast. “Swiss whenever possible,” says Housamman.

Added to this is complex preparation. This means: the dough is traditionally weighed by hand, processed in several variations, and then enjoys a long rest and maturation period of at least one day. “It’s an important factor in terms of aroma, digestibility and freshness,” Baker says.

“All this has to be offset by evidence of quality, composition and complex production methods,” Hausmann reiterates, but at the same time he says: “The margins of our industry are very low, leaving little room for craft businesses.”

A problem the Swiss Farmers Union also knows from its industry. Hence it continues to provide direct marketing to farmers with price recommendations for home-grown food. These are based on calculations of what the goods cost, the time required to produce and other energy or selling costs.

“Handmade knitting with fresh regional ingredients from a farm fetches about 14 francs per kilo,” media spokesperson Sandra Helfenstein adds: “In the end, the important question is – regardless of whether it’s a farm shop or a bakery. : How much is the knitting worth to the consumer? It depends whether it sells or not.