Rising prices push more Catalans to make 'panellets' at home

The continuous rise in the price of 'panellets,' the traditional marzipan sweets eaten during Catalonia's Castanyada celebration, has led many people to make them at home instead.

According to a study by the Catalan News Agency (ACN), homemade 'panellets' cost roughly half as much as those sold in pastry shops.

Based on prices from a well-known supermarket and a local shop, the cost per kilo of homemade 'panellets' is around €36, about €1 per pine nut 'panellet,' the most traditional variety.

In contrast, data from the Bakers' Guild of Barcelona show that a kilo of these marzipan treats costs between €60 and €70 in pastry shops, roughly €2 per piece.

Although this year's prices have risen by only 3% to 6%, the steady annual increases have made panellets significantly more expensive over time.

Higher prices

The guild attributes the rise to the volatility of prices for key ingredients such as pine nuts and almonds.

In October, almonds cost about €15 per kilo in bulk shops,  the amount needed to make the dough for around 35 'panellets.'

As for pine nuts, the most expensive ingredient, the same shop sold them for up to €70 per kilo.

According to the agriculture department, the price of almonds has risen by 63% compared to last year and is now around €6 per kilo, up from €3.75.

Eggs, another essential ingredient, have also reached their highest prices in eight years, up 20% from last year.

Pine nuts have increased nearly 22% year-on-year. Sugar, although it is down 22% from last year, still costs 24% more than before the pandemic.

'We've been making them for many years'

Faced with these rising costs, many people have turned to homemade alternatives.

Maria Àngels Mercader and her sister Carme meet every year to make panellets for the whole family.

"We've been making them for many years," says Maria Àngels, admitting that high prices are one of the main reasons they prefer to make them at home.

They prepare panellets with cherry, raisins, quince, and pine nuts, although, as she explains, the pine nut ones are not the family’s favorite.

"We mostly make them for the kids, but we don’t eat many ourselves. Pine nuts are so expensive, especially now for Castanyada," she adds.