More sting than honey: price increases of up to 15% on cakes for Rosh Hashanah
Pastry chains have raised the prices of honey cakes, which are especially associated with Rosh Hashanah, by 4% to 15% compared to previous Tishrei holidays. Chain owners explain that the price increases are due to rising costs of raw materials, production, operations, and labor, while others claim that the cakes that have increased in price are not at all identical to last year's cakes. And also: who are the righteous ones who did not raise prices?
Pastry chains have raised the prices of honey cakes and increased the cost of some festive cakes for Rosh Hashanah. We compared the prices of the 2026 menus that the chains released for the holiday with their 2025 prices, and this is what we found.
First of all, there are two righteous ones in the market who lowered prices, but even for them, the discount comes with an asterisk. The first chain to lower prices is the Maafe Neeman chain: a sponge honey cake was sold in 2025 for 40 shekels for 550 grams, and two cakes for 60 shekels. This year, Maafe Neeman increased the weight of the sponge honey cake by 9% to 600 grams and lowered its price to 39 shekels, a 10% discount per 100 grams of product. The promotional price, on the other hand, has risen at Maafe Neeman to 70 shekels for two cakes instead of 60 shekels a year ago, an increase of about 7%. In 2025, Maafe Neeman charged 45 shekels for premium strip cakes. This year the price rose to 50 shekels, but the chain emphasizes that these are not the same cakes.
In Bakery, there is also a discount: a Rigik cake in Bakery/Delicatessen is sold this year for 94 shekels per unit for 800 grams; last year it was sold for 89 shekels for 750 grams, which is a 9% discount. In contrast, the honey, nut, and almond cake of Bakery/Delicatessen (550 grams) was sold for 52 shekels last year and is now sold for 58 shekels, an increase of 11.5%.
In the Lehamim chain, some of the honey cakes were increased in price. A classic honey cake cost 47 shekels last year and now 49 shekels, an increase of 4%. A citrus honey cake was sold last year for 93 shekels and now 109 shekels, an increase of 17%.
At Miki Shmo, honey cookies (dovshaniot) increased by six shekels from 39 to 45 shekels, a price increase of 15.4%. Honey Dobos cakes and Tarte Tatin strips increased by ten shekels from 69 to 79 shekels, a price increase of 14.5%. A Viennese strudel increased by six shekels from 49 to 55 shekels, a price increase of 12.2%. A Japonaise cake (24 cm diameter) increased by 20 shekels from 200 to 220 shekels, a price increase of 10%. An apple and cherry Floden cake increased by six shekels from 69 to 75 shekels, a price increase of 8.7%. The Bee Sting cake and vanilla apple cake increased by four shekels from 75 to 79 shekels, a price increase of 5.3%.
In Biscotti, there are also price increases: the price of a classic honey cake (parve) and a honey and ricotta cake rose by three shekels from 49 to 52 shekels, an increase of 6.12%. In Roladin, the price of a simple honey cake remained 46 shekels, but intermediate cakes increased: apple citrus meringue honey cake and pear ricotta cake rose from 54 to 56 shekels, an increase of nearly 4%. The most expensive cake this year is a dessert in a bowl called Lemon Cremo and Caramelized Kadaif, which is sold for 175 shekels, 3% more than the most expensive cakes last year (169 shekels).
Chain owners explain that the price increases are due to rising costs of raw materials, production, operations, and labor. Some chains emphasize that they are maintaining prices for classic items despite the rise in the cost of honey and other ingredients.
