Restaurant prices in MV are rising drastically: luxury or necessity?

Restaurant prices in MV are rising drastically: luxury or necessity?

The catering industry in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has experienced a steep price increase in recent years. But why are restaurants in this region more expensive than in the wealthiest areas of Germany? Loud Northern Courier The price increase has its roots in a combination of economic factors and regional conditions. While in southern Germany higher demand and a denser network of suppliers lead to cheaper prices, companies in MV struggle with long transport routes and less well-developed delivery structures.

In addition, restaurants in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania often have difficulty recruiting qualified staff. The resulting increased wages and the less experienced teams also contribute to the higher costs. Reader opinions indicate that the bond between guests and owners is perceived to be weaker locally, which may also influence the price-performance ratio.

Price rise despite economic optimism

A look at the numbers shows that prices in the catering and hotel sectors continue to rise, despite generally lower inflation. In April 2024, there was a price increase of almost 10% in restaurants and hotel bookings compared to the previous year, which corresponds to an average increase of 30% since 2020. NDR reports several main reasons for this development: These include increased minimum wages, more expensive transport services and higher prices for food and energy.

The regular VAT rate, which has been 19% since January 2024, also has an impact. More and more restaurateurs are forced to increase their prices in order to cover fixed costs, which, however, further weakens demand. Ironically, consumers appear to be eating out less and less and are instead turning to cooking at home, putting more pressure on the restaurant industry.

Economic challenges and changes in customer behavior

As the daily news reported, prices for traditional restaurant dishes such as pizza, pasta and schnitzel have risen by more than 26% since the beginning of 2022. The high personnel costs and VAT are the main causes. A DEHOGA survey shows that 72% of the companies surveyed were unable to make necessary investments. At the same time, guests have become increasingly price-sensitive, looking for cheaper offers or foregoing extras altogether. As a result, classic restaurants are particularly hard hit, while snack food models are becoming increasingly popular.

The economic situation is exacerbated by high fluctuation in the catering industry, especially in urban areas where many businesses have had to close or are only operating at low capacity. Another aspect is the difficult search for a successor in rural areas, where companies often close without a successor.

In summary, it can be said that the catering industry in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is facing major challenges. High prices, a changing customer landscape and structural peculiarities mean that a visit to a restaurant in the region can increasingly become a luxury. Whether and how the price structures will change in the future remains to be seen - but changes are urgently needed in order to keep the drinking culture and communal eating popular again.