A new study from the Institute of German Economics (IW Köln) has revealed a significant price disparity between conventional and organic “Nikolaus” (St. Nicholas Day) gift sacks, highlighting the escalating costs associated with sustainably sourced food products and prompting questions about consumer accessibility and government policy. The study, reported by Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, demonstrates that a typical organic Nikolaus sack, filled with chocolate figures, walnuts, gingerbread, Pfeffernüsse (pepper nut cookies), domino stones and clementines, averages €12.42. Comparatively, a conventional version ranges from €5.58 (own-brand) to €8.08 (premium product).
The most striking price increases for organic items are seen in Pfeffernüsse (up 167%), walnuts (149%) and gingerbread (119%), with domino stones and clementines also significantly more expensive than their standard counterparts. The data, based on Rewe supermarket prices from November 13th, 2025, underscores a growing financial burden on consumers choosing ethically produced alternatives.
IW Köln attributes these inflated prices to a combination of factors, including more complex farming techniques, stricter regulatory oversight, lower yields and a reliance on imported raw materials, particularly cocoa. The report explicitly mentions increased costs imposed by recent EU regulations, specifically the deforestation regulation and the revised EU organic farming regulation, further straining organic producers.
The St. Nicholas Day tradition is a crucial sales driver for the retail sector, with German consumers annually spending over €1 billion, according to the German Retail Federation (HDE) and IFH Köln. Nearly a third of consumers planned to spend on food (19%) and toys (12%) in 2024, demonstrating the event’s substantial economic impact.
The confectionery industry also experiences a significant boost during this period. Germany processes approximately one-tenth of the world’s cocoa harvest, producing around 14 kilograms of chocolate per capita annually and a particularly massive output of seasonal sweets – 164 million chocolate figures and 81,000 tons of gingerbread and honey cakes were produced for the 2024 holiday season.
However, the study coincides with a broader trend of surging confectionery prices. Chocolate prices have increased by approximately 40% between 2020 and 2024 and a shorter-term comparison shows a 22% price hike from October 2024 to October 2025. This rapid inflation raises concerns about the long-term affordability of chocolate and other Christmas treats, potentially disproportionately impacting lower-income households and prompting debate about subsidies or price controls to ensure equitable access to responsibly sourced products. Analysts question whether consumer enthusiasm for organic and sustainable options will persist given the growing economic strain.