Wave of bankruptcies is affecting more and more bakers: Two reasons are crucial

Berlin – Germany has a great baking tradition, but the industry is deeply concerned. A wave of bankruptcies threatens many businesses. 63 companies had to file for bankruptcy in the first half of 2026, explains Creditreform spokesman Patrik-Ludwig Hantzsch when asked by BILD. That is 40 percent more than in the same period last year.

The classic bakery trade is under increasing pressure. The reason: consumer habits have changed significantly. This is also what drives many companies insolvency.

“Many consumers, even in higher social classes, now buy baked goods in the supermarket from baking machines or from discounters, often in conjunction with a weekly shop,” says Hantzsch. As a result, traditional bakers lose their important walk-in customers Violation and bread rolls lost.

Prices rose massively in this area

In addition, kneading and mixing machines as well as the ovens for baking need energy. That’s why bakery businesses are particularly hard hit by the increased energy prices. A bitter experience that Stefan Lampe (42) had with his Operation had to do in Thuringia.

Mid-June He filed for bankruptcy for his 44 branches with a total of 280 employees. A shock. “The main reason for us was the sharp increase Electricity and energy prices since the outbreak of the Ukraine war. That pulled the rug out from under our feet,” says Lampe in an interview with BILD. After all, all stores are currently open and all employees are still on board. “The insolvency proceedings are ongoing, we are confident that we will be able to continue operations, in whatever form.”

Some businesses cannot be saved

A blessing in disguise that the employees of ten Rackls Backstubn branches in Bavaria were not allowed to experience. After the bankruptcy announcement and sale to the competition, it became known that theirs Shops close and the central bakery also stops production. According to insolvency administrator Tobias Sorg, “no continuation solution could be found,” as he told BILD at the end of June. The Hansen Würwik bakery in Schleswig-Holstein, which is more than a hundred years old, was also sold. The bakery in Wees near Flensburg will stop production at the end of July. Competitor Andresen will buy six of the eleven branches on August 1st. All other Bakery branches will be closed.

Hardly any room for cost increases

High wage costs, rising raw material and material prices, and a shortage of skilled workers. With small profit margins, bakery businesses could Cost increases “Only pass it on to your customers to a very limited extent,” explains Creditreform expert Hantzsch. A vicious circle, especially for smaller companies. The expert warns that more and more bakers are reaching their economic limits.