Glühwein at German Christmas markets mostly unchanged, about 4 to 5 euros a cup

Berlin prices range from 3 to 6 euros

A dpa survey of organisers at several large markets found that a cup of mulled wine in Berlin will probably cost between 4 and 6 euros this year, and most organisers said prices stay at last year's level. The market on the RAW site has been open since Thursday, 12 November, charging 4 euros for red mulled wine, 5 euros for cherry, blueberry and white versions, and 3 euros for fruit punch. The market at the Gedächtniskirche near the Ku'damm opens earlier than in previous years, and a spokeswoman said cups there cost 5 to 6 euros with little expected to change.

From 23 November many more Berlin markets open. The Schloss Charlottenburg market charges 5 euros for a standard mulled wine, unchanged, though its organiser does not know other providers' prices. Potsdamer Platz also keeps its 5 euro price, while Alexanderplatz keeps its mulled wine price and charges 4.50 euros for a children's punch. The Christmas Avenue at Nollendorfplatz is the exception, with mulled wine and children's punch both at 5.70 euros, 20 cents more, which the organiser linked to extra district requirements and clearly higher security and prevention costs. At the Gendarmenmarkt, red mulled wine stays at 5 euros, but white and blueberry versions rise by 50 cents.

Cologne, Düsseldorf and Bonn keep prices steady

In Düsseldorf, Oliver Wilmering of the local showmen's association said the price holds.

“The mulled wine price remains stable at five euros.”

He said a standard 0.2-litre cup should cost no more on average than last year, and roasted almonds stay at four euros for 100 grams, or 4.50 euros at some stands. In Cologne, a 0.2-litre cup at the cathedral market costs 5 euros, and spokeswoman Birgit Grothues said there has been no price increase for two years. Bratwurst there costs six euros, one euro less than a year earlier. In Bonn, a 0.2-litre cup costs 4 euros, unchanged for four years according to Peter Barth of the local showmen's association, and a Münster stand at the Rathaus market also charges 4 euros, said showman Arno Heitmann.

Dortmund and Essen: deposit changes shape the totals

In Dortmund, mulled wine rose from 3.50 to 4 euros per cup at comparable size, but the total stays at 7 euros as last year because the deposit is getting cheaper, according to the Westphalian market and showmen's association. In Essen's Steele market, a regular cup costs 4 euros, or 6 euros with a shot added, and a bratwurst costs 4.50 euros, the same as a year ago.

Costs are the common thread. Organisers of Düsseldorf's Christmas markets said operating costs have risen compared with last year. Albert Ritter, president of the German Showmen's Association, said high diesel prices and rising food costs are felt by showmen and described the economic situation as strained.

What drives the price and demand

Alexander Tacer, managing director of the German federal association for wine, sparkling wine and spirits, said many larger cities already charged five euros or more per cup last year. He expects a price level of around five euros to be realistic in many places this season.

“A price level of about five euros per cup seems realistic in many places for this year's Christmas market season.”

In the dpa survey's standard version, Mainz, Koblenz, Trier, Bonn, Dortmund and Essen still list four euros, Ludwigshafen charges 3.50 to 4 euros, Frankfurt and Dresden 4.50 to 5 euros, and Düsseldorf and Cologne 5 euros.

Düsseldorf5

Cologne5

Dortmund4

Essen4

Bonn4

Münster4

Mainz4

Düsseldorf

5 EUR

Cologne

5 EUR

Dortmund

4 EUR

Essen

4 EUR

Bonn

4 EUR

Münster

4 EUR

Mainz

4 EUR

Data from the article text

Tacer said the nationwide average last year was 4.54 euros per cup without deposit, based on a survey of 58 selected cities. He cited personnel, energy, transport, storage, stall fees, decoration, security and infrastructure as cost drivers.

“The pricing depends not only on the purchase cost of the mulled wine itself, but on a whole range of other factors.”

Industry information puts annual sales at about 50 million litres, including retail. Weather is decisive for sales at the markets, and rain and mild temperatures push demand down.