Flaky business: cost of a 99 soars past €3 as ice-cream sellers blame inflation

The courtyard at Avoca in Monkstown, Dublin, is now charging €3.35 for a 99 ice-cream without a chocolate flake, and €3.75 with the added treat.

Teddy’s in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, say they have been forced to increase the price of the classic treat from €2.70 last year to €3.00 due to inflation.

“You will notice everywhere that the price of ice cream has gone up. We have all tried to absorb as much of the cost as we can but the logistics have gotten expensive,” said Jasmine Khan, co-owner of Teddy’s.

“Haulage is expensive and that is contributing to the price. The price of base products have gone up by about 56pc. The manufacturers of wafers have also had price increases in their base products by as much as 30pc.

“The price of sugar has also gone up and all of that is reflected in the end-product.

“We don’t charge for syrup. I have seen a lot of companies do it but it’s not OK. You are paying for a 99 and what is a 99 without syrup on it?”​

Kerri O’Neill at Fitzpatrick’s Foodstore in Glounthaune, Cork, where 99s with a flake have risen from €2.50 last summer to €2.70 this year said: “We have to get a new ice-cream machine and the best quote we can get so far is over €18,000.

“So when people are eating their delicious 99 and wondering about the price, they need to know that has to be paid back.”

Caffolas on the Pier, Dún Laoghaire, say they were hit with “a phenomenal reaction” when they sold their 99 ice cream cones for 99 cent last Thursday, traditionally the first day of summer.

“I’d love to do it every week but then we’d be gone out of business,” said Paolo Caffola, whose 99s are usually €3.

“We give 130g of ice cream so it’s a big helping, and we also run on very tight margins.

“I know some ice-cream sellers historically gave toppings and syrup for free and some customers still expect that, but the cost of sugar has risen and unfortunately there is no such thing as a free lunch anymore.”

Asked whether the name of the 99 should be changed he said: “Can you even get a penny sweet for a penny anymore? I don’t think there should be a direct correlation between a name and the price.”