Hot cross bun prices set to soar due to raisin shortage
Not so one a penny, two a penny after all
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Whether you like yours toasted and slathered in butter or simply as it is, hot cross buns are undeniably one of the best Easter foods.
So it’s worrying news that this year, hot cross buns may no longer be one a penny, two a penny, as the song dictates.
In fact, hot cross bun prices are set to soar due to a raisin shortage in California.
Bakeries are facing higher costs for the dried fruits due to the crop shortages – US raisin prices have risen by 50 per cent since September.
Farmers have been producing fewer and fewer sultanas, currants and raisins and focusing on other crops due to low profits over the past few years.
But the situation has reportedly been exacerbated by a heatwave.
It’s estimated that 275,000 tons of raisins will be produced in 2017-18 in California, which is a reduction of 8 per cent compared to the previous year and 15 per cent below the five-year average.
The shortage in the US has forced British bakers to look elsewhere for dried fruits, turning to Turkey and Greece.
However the increased demand has resulted in Turkish sultana prices soaring by 30 per cent.
Some UK bakers are looking to Australia to fill the gap, but earlier this month it was reported that harvesting of the 2017 sultana crop was running two or three weeks behind the previous season.
This is mainly a result of unfavourable weather conditions and is expected to lead to a 20 to 25 per cent smaller harvest than the previous year.
There’s only one thing for it – eat as many hot cross buns while you still can, and then turn to chocolate chip versions.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments