Cheap food remains expensive. According to a recent study, there is no contradiction: the cheapest food and cleaning products are 42 percent more expensive than in September 2021.
This is evident from the current price monitor AK*, which examined 40 cheap food and cleaning products in a total of seven stores. This shows: a shopping cart cost almost 42 percent more between September 2021 and December 2022. And: In supermarkets (Billa, Billa Plus, Spar, Interspar) this cost an average of five percent more in December 2022 than at discounters (Hofer, Lidl, Penny).
Oil, flour and pasta have become particularly expensive. For example, sunflower oil costs 167 percent more than in September 2021, wheat flour 111 percent more expensive, pen pasta 91 percent more expensive and granulated sugar 81 percent more expensive.
‘People need to dig deeper into their wallets’
“Prices continue to skyrocket, whether for heating, housing, fuel or food – people need to dig deeper into their pockets,” said AK consumer advocate Gabriele Zgubic. “Many groan under the high prices. Those who have less compare prices when shopping and opt for cheaper goods, for which we have seen a continuous price increase since autumn last year.”
These cheapest products cost the same at all seven inspected supermarkets and discount stores: tomatoes, mineral water, cola drinks, tea butter, eggs, rice, milk chocolate, penne, tomato passata, fish sticks, cat food.
*Between December 12 and 15, 2022, the AK surveyed 40 of the cheapest food and cleaning products in seven supermarkets and discount stores in Vienna. The shops: Billa, Billa Plus, Spar, Interspar, Hofer, Lidl and Penny. For the selected products, the cheapest product (ie the product with the cheapest basic price) was queried in each shop. Promotions were taken into account, but not loyalty card or bulk discounts.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
