Bakery émoi in Meißen closes permanently: staff shortage strikes!

Bakery émoi in Meißen closes permanently: staff shortage strikes!

The émoi bakery on Hahnemannsplatz in Meißen has tragically closed. August 16th was the last day of opening for the popular place that provided fresh baked goods for many years. Owner André George explains that it is no longer possible to continue the business due to a lack of staff. In addition to him and six other employees who freshly prepared the baked goods, the necessary additional bakers were simply missing. Despite his best efforts, George was unable to find three or four additional skilled workers who were urgently needed.

The closure of the émoi bakery is just a small piece of the puzzle in a larger picture. The entire baked goods industry in Germany is facing profound structural change. According to Böckler.de, sales rose to 21.8 billion euros in 2023, while the number of businesses in the bakery trade has declined by an impressive 30 percent over the last ten years. At the same time, around 20,000 jobs in the baking trade have lost their existence since 2014.

Challenges in craftsmanship

The high pressure in the industry is not only due to the shortage of personnel and skilled workers. According to a comprehensive analysis by the Bäckerei-Monitor, the situation is becoming increasingly challenging for many employees. 86 percent of employees report high time pressure and stress. This is also reinforced by the fact that the proportion of part-time workers has increased in recent years. Of the employees subject to social insurance contributions, 39 percent are now part-time workers.

It's no secret that more and more companies are having to adapt their recruiting strategies. Some companies have turned their attention to other regions such as Southeast Asia and North Africa in order to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. In addition, the proportion of trainees with a migrant background is increasing; In 2024 it was around 25 percent. This could be the key to securing the filling of vacancies in the future.

A look at the future

Although the industry is showing the first signs of stabilization, past losses show that there is still a long way to go. With the number of apprenticeships in the bakery trade dwindling—the number of which has almost halved in the last decade—many segments of the population are asking the question: Who will train the next generation of bakers? Many trainees' confidence in being taken on after training is questionable, as 73 percent of them are unsure whether they will be taken on later. A rethink of working conditions and pay may be necessary to attract young people to the profession.

The closure of the émoi bakery is a clear signal that there is a crisis in the baking trade - there is a need for action to save both the businesses and the jobs. What happened at the bakery in Meißen could be seen as a wake-up call for the entire industry.