The manager of the CAEB Restaurants Association in Mallorca, Tomeu Mas, says restaurants will have to raise their prices because of increased costs caused by the Middle East conflict but insists that these increases will be "small as possible".
"We are aware of the situation of our customers, who are increasingly struggling to make ends meet because everything is getting more expensive." He therefore reiterates that restaurants "will try to absorb part of the increased costs". "But if these increases exceed two per cent, we will be forced to update our menus."
Mas points out that the conflict has already driven up the price of fuel, electricity, and gas. For example, the price of a butane gas cylinder has gone up almost five per cent. He refers to what the distributors association have had to say about dairy products being set to increase in price by up to seven per cent.
In addition, the restaurants are facing a further four per cent increase in salaries this year on top of the six per cent in 2025. These increases formed part of the most recent collective bargaining agreement for the hospitality industry. Rents, Mas notes, are also subject to increases.
Menu prices rose by five per cent last year, and the intention this year had been not to raise them, given the island's high cost of living. However, the war in Iran has triggered a general price increase, although Mas adds that it is too early to know how much restaurant costs will go up.
Meanwhile, the restaurants are hoping for good weather over Easter, the wind and rain of the past weeks not having done them any favours.