Wiesn guests are threatened with a shock at the Hendl price
This week it’s all about the sausage, in a figurative sense – and about crispy grilled chicken and beer, in the literal sense. Because: In these days Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) will decide whether the Oktoberfest will take place this year after two cancellations in a row.
Wiesn speaker Clemens Baumgärtner (CSU) has already taken a position: “There is no argument against the Wiesn 2022.” The doctor Christoph Spinner from the Klinikum Rechts der Isar also sees no reason for the Wiesn because of Corona to cancel: “The probability of transmission there is high. But step by step we will get to the point where we can again allow major events with a good feeling…” It could also be a good thing that the Oktoberfest will take place – but a lot is different than usual. And that doesn’t mean Corona. But the thing with the chickens.
Wiesn in Munich: The next crisis is casting its shadow
Because the next crisis is casting its shadow. since Ukraine war energy prices shoot up – and according to Toni Roiderer from the Hackerzelt, a good 200,000 cubic meters of gas are consumed over the 16 days of the Oktoberfest. Among other things for chicken grills. On average, more than half a million chickens are eaten at the Wiesn… “Of course, we don’t know how much more expensive gas will be by autumn,” says Roiderer. “But you will have to transfer that to the product.” Means: Hendl will cost a lot more than before. Most recently, you could get half a chicken for about 13 euros at the Wiesn. For comparison: This year’s Mass beer should cost up to 14.50 euros (in 2019 it was 10.80 to 11.80 euros). So now there is also a clear jump in the price of chicken. One thing is for sure, one way or another: the grill specialty has to exist. Because, according to Roiderer: “Hendl belongs to Oktoberfest like pretzels to beer.”
Munich: price explosion at the Wiesn due to raw material shortages
Steffi Spendler from the Löwenbräu tent thinks so too. She is “nervous” because of the price explosion and raw material shortages. It’s also about fries, for example – because cooking oil is becoming scarce because of the Ukraine war. “Of course, we ask ourselves whether there will still be enough visitors with the increased prices for the whole thing to pay off,” says the landlady.
The answer is there – When rider gives the green light – from September 17th: That’s when the approach is planned. Peter Inselkammer, spokesman for the innkeepers, is optimistic. He says: “The Wiesn will definitely take place. I’m convinced of that.” And: “The people of Munich have a deep longing for the Wiesn.” The hosts are thinking of a festival without a mask, without distance and without a limited number of visitors. Inselkammer: “That wouldn’t be an original Wiesn anymore.” Kab
Munich billionaire magnet: Hotels, dealers, taxi drivers & Co. – everyone earns at the festival
The Oktoberfest is big business for all of Munich. Overall, the turnover generated by the Wiesn is over one billion euros per year – and almost everyone works somehow.
For example, taxi drivers die. Thomas Kroker, CEO of Taxi-München, says his drivers made up to 60 percent more sales during the Oktoberfest.
The Wiesn is also important for the hoteliers. Max Schmidramsl, who runs the Gasthof Neuwirt in Ismaning, already has a lot of inquiries about the Oktoberfest time. “The Italians,” he says, have reserved a lot. And: “At some point we have to earn money again…”
Markus Höhn, Managing Director of Lodenfrey, firmly assumes that the Wiesn will take place this year: “We have already bought all the goods,” he says. Lodenfrey generates around 15 to 20 percent of sales with traditional costumes, and the Wiesn accounts for eight to ten percent. Maybe even more this year because many want to change their clothes.