Experts Explain Why Donuts Remain Expensive Despite Cheaper Ingredients

As the cost of basic ingredients for donuts declines, many consumers wonder why prices remain high. Recent analysis from BNP Paribas highlights significant shifts in ingredient costs and their implications for pricing.

Cost Analysis of Donut Ingredients

According to BNP Paribas, the wholesale price of essential donut ingredients fell from 60-65 groszy to 56 groszy from early 2025 to January 2026. The most notable reductions occurred in butter and flour, which dropped by 48% and 15%, respectively.

Despite these decreases, the costs of eggs and oil continue to rise, contributing to overall production expenses.

Reasons Behind Steady Donut Prices

• Increased labor costs: Minimum wage rose by 9% in 2025, followed by another 3% in early 2026.
• Rising transport and marketing costs add to the financial burden on bakeries.

Experts suggest that savings from lower flour prices are offset by these rising expenses. Consequently, consumers are unlikely to see significant discounts on donut prices, which are expected to remain similar or slightly higher than previous years.

Current Donut Prices in Stores and Bakeries

BNP Paribas experts observe that donut prices in 2026 vary widely. In popular retail chains, traditional donuts typically sell for around 5 zł, while discount stores offer them at 2-3 zł. Bulk packages attract attention, with prices dropping to as low as 30-50 groszy per piece during promotions.

Special sales may intensify on Fat Thursday, as retailers utilize donuts to draw customers. In artisan bakeries, where traditional recipes prevail, prices start from several złoty each.

Homemade Donut Costs vs. Store Prices

Making donuts at home also poses challenges. In December, the retail price of eggs was 15% higher than the previous year, with oil prices increasing by 6%. Although some ingredients like flour, milk, and sugar have become cheaper, eggs and oil significantly impact home preparation costs.

Overall, the total expense for a basic homemade donut recipe increased by 2% year-on-year. Thus, making donuts at home may not be more economical than purchasing them from bakeries.

New Trends in Donut Flavors

This year has seen an explosion of innovative donut flavors in stores and bakeries. Following the trend of Dubai donuts, new flavors such as tiramisu, lavender, popcorn, freeze-dried pear, and milky nut have emerged. Decreased sugar and dairy prices on domestic and EU markets encourage producers to embellish donuts with more icing and cream fillings.

As consumers navigate these shifts in the donut market, they will find a diverse range of options. However, the reasons behind the sustained prices despite cheaper ingredients remain complex and rooted in broader economic factors.