Is it cheaper to make or buy your Czech Christmas cookies this year?

Czech households preparing for the holidays face higher costs for baking ingredients this year, as prices for walnuts, hazelnuts, and cocoa have risen sharply. A recent survey of seven major retail chains provided to Czech News Agency by Česká distribuční shows some significant changes in .

A 500-gram package of walnuts now averages CZK 141, up from CZK 93 last year, according to the analysis. Hazelnuts and almonds have also climbed 20–30 percent, while cocoa and shredded coconut rose 37 percent and 41 percent, respectively.

The shift comes after last year’s peak in butter prices. “Last Christmas, butter dominated headlines for being expensive. This year, it’s nuts,” said Jaroslav Staněk, marketing manager at Česká distribuční.

Not all ingredients have become costlier. Butter has fallen nearly 30 percent this holiday season, down to CZK 41 per 250-gram block, while honey and vanilla pods also decreased in price.

Officials cite abundant supplies as the main driver: “A large stock of frozen butter is being released into the market ahead of Christmas,” said Jiří Kopáček, chairman of the Czech-Moravian Dairy Union.

Marek Zemánek, spokesperson for the Food Chamber, noted that frozen butter availability helps lower retail prices, though fresh butter is generally preferred for taste. The drop in butter prices partially offsets the rising costs of nuts and cocoa for those making traditional cookies like linecké or rohlíčky.

The increased cost of key ingredients is already reflected in baked goods. Premium Christmas cookie boxes from Prague bakeries have surged in price, with some 1-kilogram packages now exceeding CZK 1,800. Smaller producers and private sellers report similar price hikes, often ranging from 20–30 percent.

For home bakers, these changes influence how many varieties can be made and how much to spend. Items like eggs, flour, and chocolate have also seen modest increases, while sugar remains largely stable. Bundling ingredients, sharing purchases, or simplifying the number of cookie types are among common strategies to manage costs.

The price shifts mirror broader trends in European food markets, where nut and cocoa shortages have driven seasonal price spikes. Meanwhile, domestic milk production remains strong, contributing to lower butter prices. The Czech market benefits from large stocks and efficient distribution, but supply-chain pressures continue to influence overall cost.

Retail analysts note that promotions remain similar to last year, with average discounts around 24 percent, helping mitigate some price increases. Still, certain items, such as walnuts, have seen rises exceeding 50 percent year-on-year.

Shoppers are advised to compare promotions across chains, consider frozen alternatives where appropriate, and plan quantities carefully to balance tradition with cost. Bakers might focus on fewer cookie varieties or coordinate bulk purchases with friends and family to reduce per-unit expenses.

As the holidays approach, monitoring weekly flyers and store promotions will be key for households aiming to manage seasonal baking budgets while maintaining cherished festive recipes. A full list of price changes in Czech Christmas cookie ingredients can be found here.