so we decided to take part of a cost increase in raw materials because we wanted to, we wanted to increase penetration. and in fact, the last year we grew also 5% in volume. that is very tough in here, like this one, doing something like that, we consider not a serious approach towards the consumer. so we have too much respect for them. 0k. let me end on this and let s spin a yearahead. antonio, prices higher or lower than today? i still think that we didn t see yet a small piece of inflation, but we will see it on prices, let s say, before the summer, because all companies will rise the prices in october, november, but have to argue with a trade to discuss. normally, this is a six months time, so i m not going to say to the cost before covid, but a more reasonable cost. so, we are going in that direction.
it also helps them to understand what does it mean from, really, a supply chain point of view. then everyone is trying to do his own game, but that is another issue. and, antonio, let me ask you this, because some coffee producers, rather than risk putting off consumers by increasing their prices, what they ve been doing is changing the sizes of their packaging. of course, it s become known as shrinkflation. is that something lavazza has entertained? i will be very strong. that is a joke, because we have too much respect for our consumer. is not the changing a visible price and giving them less products that you know you do the good for your consumer. as i told you, we are smaller. so we decided to take part of a cost increase in raw materials
than pre covid price. add to that the increasing cost of energy, and it s a challenge, a big challenge for big coffee companies to think about how they pass on the costs to their customers who are thirsty for their morning cup of go gojuice. so i ve been catching up with the big boss of lavazza, the iconic italian coffee giant. antonio baravalle, a real pleasure having you on the show. and, antonio, let s start with this, because this week s show, we ve been talking about how difficult it is for companies to set prices. and we ve seen coffee bean prices go up quite a lot. so i m just wondering, antonio, how have you dealt with that when it comes to setting your prices? i think that all the industry faces very, very huge cost increase. and also remembering that a company like us is buying in dollars at the new york stock market. so the ratio between dollar and euro is so important. so we only partially pass the cost increase to consumers.
one year ago, after the invasion of ukraine, thatjumped to $2.33 a pound. and in march this year, it was trading at around $1.68. so somewhere between the two, but it s still 80% more than pre covid price. add to that the increasing cost of energy, and it s a challenge, a big challenge for big coffee companies to think about how they pass on the costs to their customers who are thirsty for their morning cup of go gojuice. so i ve been catching up with the big boss of lavazza, the iconic italian coffee giant. antonio baravalle, a real pleasure having you on the show. and, antonio, let s start with this, because this week s show, we ve been talking about how difficult it is for companies to set prices. and we ve seen coffee bean prices go up quite a lot. so i m just wondering, antonio, how have you dealt with that when it comes to setting your prices? i think that all the industry faces very, very huge cost increase. and also remembering that a company like us is buying in dollars at the
as i told you, we are smaller. so we decided to take part of a cost increase in raw materials because we wanted to, we wanted to increase penetration. and in fact, the last year we grew also 5% in volume. that is very tough in here, like this one, doing something like that, we consider not a serious approach towards the consumer. so we have too much respect for them. 0k. let me end on this and let s spin a yearahead. antonio, prices higher or lower than today? i still think that we didn t see yet a small piece of inflation, but we will see it on prices, let s say, before the summer, because all companies will rise the prices in october, november, but have to argue with a trade to discuss.