The Cost Of This Popular Dish Is Soaring — And Germans Are Calling For A Price Cap

Anyone who’s been to a supermarket in the past year knows that inflation is taking an especially large toll on the cost of groceries. Price hikes have received a lot of media attention in the U.S., but they’ve caused shoppers around the world to tighten their belts as well.

And there’s one particular item on countless German menus that’s simply become too costly for comfort.

Demanding relief

The item in question is doner kebab, which might not ring a bell to American consumers but it’s a big deal in Deutschland. Very briefly, it’s a rotisserie-cooked meat (usually lamb) dish that was introduced in Germany by Turkish immigrants decades ago and became a ubiquitous dish nationwide.

But with the average cost doubling since the era of inflation began about two years ago, many German citizens are finding it difficult to afford. So many folks are demanding that the government implement price caps aimed at keeping the cost from soaring even further — and one political party is taking up the cause.

If this effort is going to be successful, however, proponents are going to have to deal with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has shot down such suggestions in the past.

Exploring options

On one hand, if the price of ingredients and labor is increasing, it’s only natural that businesses selling doner kebabs will have to pass on the added cost to their customers. But according to the Left Party and others proponents of price caps, the government needs to step in. One party spokesperson asserted that such intervention is necessary to “prevent food from becoming a luxury item.”

The plan being put forth would cap the price of a serving at the equivalent of just over $5 and around $3 for young people, using public resources to subsidize the cost.

Chris Agee May 8th, 2024

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