Reda Karim of Victor Hugo Boulangerie in Glategny Esplanade is concerned at the price of imported French goods his business uses due to the current low rate of the Euro. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0696503)

BUISNESSES which import from France are at threat because of the rate of the euro against the pound.

Boulangerie Victor Hugo owner Reda Karim said the current situation was proving difficult for him and posed a serious threat.

‘The euro is the backbone to our business, because everything we sell here comes from France – all the raw materials, the authentic French flour, the specific cheeses, the pate, everything is particular and there is no alternative,’ he said.

Costs have gone up very fast, but he does not want to start overcharging people, he said.

‘It has gone up 30%, which in some cases translates to 700 euros more per pallet of ingredients – we can’t put up the prices like that so we have to absorb some of the loss from our profit.’

Mr Karim said he had tried to use produce imported from other places but it simply did not work with the sort of food his business makes.

‘Danish cheese is not creamy enough, others are OK but just not right, the English flours are not correct for baguettes – it is not to my taste so I don’t want my customers to have it,’ he said.