For several months, certain foodstuffs have been scarce in restaurants.
For a first post-Covid summer, the catering sector would have dreamed of better. After the restrictions or mandatory barrier gestures, such as wearing a mask or the health pass, establishments are encountering major new problems this season: rising prices and shortages.
In Cap-d’Agde, this Thursday, around 11:30 a.m., along the Quai Jean-Miquel and the Quai de la Trinquette, the restaurant terraces are not yet taken by storm.
“Mustard has become a rare commodity”
In full preparation for his service which starts in a few tens of minutes, the manager of the “Mac Moules” establishment is busy. “I was forced to increase the price of my card obviously. The shortage of mustard and the explosion in oil prices had a very strong impact“he testifies, apron around his waist, ready to return to the kitchen as soon as possible. “But customers are adapting.“
A few steps away, “Le Borsalino” which offers French and Mediterranean cuisine, is just as affected, but the management has decided to take more drastic measures. “It’s simple, we have removed some products from the menu and from the service, says an employee. Mustard, for example, is like all my colleagues, it has become a rare commodity. So, we no longer offer it unless a customer orders a rather dry dish that would require a sauce.“
Shortage of certain meats too
In addition to mustard, which is becoming a rare commodity, both in shops and in restaurants, certain meats are also becoming almost impossible to find. “We are running out of duck breasts this year… And rib steaks too, depending on the day”continues the employee of the “Borsalino”.
Same story with Raphaël who has run the “Tapa’soif” restaurant for six years. Open year-round, the establishment has been able to follow the curve of rising prices over the weeks. “I manage to get duck breast, but I know that’s not the case for everyone. I obviously had to increase the prices of my menu too, by around 7 to 10%. It must be said that a kilo of duck breast costs about €7 more than before”deplores the boss who sees his clientele becoming rare in turn.
“Last summer we had an incredible summer in terms of attendance. I don’t think we’ll see such a beautiful one again for quite a while…”he concludes.
