Schnitzel price dispute: Minister Blank's criticism is causing a stir!

Schnitzel price dispute: Minister Blank's criticism is causing a stir!

The discussion about the high prices for schnitzel on the Baltic Sea coast is gaining momentum. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Tourism Minister Wolfgang Blank recently criticized the fact that the prices in some restaurants are exorbitant. 24.40 euros for a schnitzel in a restaurant in Binz was a red flag for the minister, who described this as overpriced. But the reactions from the catering industry didn't take long to arrive. Jürgen Mosthaf, master chef from Baden-Württemberg, found this criticism inappropriate and pointed out in the “Bild” newspaper the high costs that the country's catering establishments are faced with - from the unchanged VAT of 19% to high minimum wages and numerous taxes.

As part of this heated debate, Robert Dahl from Karls-erlebnisdorf in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania also expressed his lack of understanding about Blank's stigmatization of restaurants. He emphasized that the expensive framework conditions created by the left-wing coalition were difficult to overcome. Dahl even invited the minister to have a schnitzel in his restaurant, where a quick Viennese schnitzel can be had for just 13 euros. Another restaurant in Rostock also submitted an invitation to Blank. The minister acknowledged these offers, but admitted that he had not expected such a response.

Critical voices from the population

The public discussion is lively. Readers of the Ostsee-Zeitung comment on the pricing and note that eating out in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is more expensive than in other parts of Germany, and is even perceived as excessive compared to Japan. Some readers raise their voices loudly: Sophia Katrin, for example, criticizes the prices on Rügen as hardly affordable for the middle class. Ralf Gliege draws comparisons with Bavaria and notes that more people go out to eat there, which could make the catering industry more economical.

Questions about the reasons for the high prices are becoming louder. Ulrike Kmieciak lists factors such as rents, energy costs and taxes that make life difficult for restaurateurs. Andreas Kung and Marco Messner agree and also point out the rising costs that influence prices. Kai-Björn Reeps, on the other hand, not only criticizes the high prices, but also the quality and service in Rostock, and expresses his concerns that tax reductions are not reaching customers.

A look at the figures for the catering industry

Such discussions are not unfounded, because the numbers speak for themselves: from January 2022 to July 2025, the prices for catering goods such as schnitzel rose by more than 26 percent. According to DEHOGA, the German Hotel and Restaurant Association, labor and food prices have risen by almost 30 percent. This leads to a significant decline in sales. In the first half of 2025, hoteliers and restaurateurs recorded a real decrease of 15.1 percent compared to 2019. The reversal of the sales tax reduction since the beginning of 2024 also contributes to the challenges.

The catering industry has suffered from various crises in recent years, particularly during the corona pandemic. Many businesses had to close, and although the number of catering establishments has recovered somewhat, there is still high fluctuation in metropolitan areas. The need for a new beginning in the catering industry, coupled with the high demands for money, means that restaurateurs want a good hand to get through these difficult times. Hopes for a permanent reduction in VAT to 7% from January 1 remain, but questions remain as to whether this can lead to fair prices and better value for money.

The debate about schnitzel prices shows how complex and multi-layered the issue of gastronomy prices is. From political claims to personal opinions to hard economic facts - this discussion has the potential to permanently change the gastronomy landscape in Germany. It remains to be seen whether everyone involved will ultimately find a solution.