Cheap food and cleaning products cost an average of eight percent more in September than a year ago. The increase in prices for individual goods is particularly striking.
The price increases are a real price shock for consumers. Compared to two years ago, the increases are now alarming: the shopping basket has increased in price by an average of around 43 percent in two years. This is evident from the current AK price monitor* of 40 cheapest food and cleaning products in seven supermarkets and discounters.
In September 2022, a shopping basket with the cheapest products cost an average of 68.10 euros, and in September 2023 the price rose to an average of 73.30 euros (plus 7.6 percent). Many cheap foods and cleaning products are still noticeably expensive for consumers.
Sunflower oil and flour cost twice as much
The comparison of inflation with September 2021 is very stark for all products. Sunflower oil costs about 24 percent less compared to September 2022, but compared to September 2021, consumers still pay about 101 percent more!
The price of utility wheat flour has increased by as much as 113 percent between 2021 and 2023. For penne pasta this is 90 percent more, for potatoes 80 percent and for toothpaste 71 percent more than two years ago.
AK price monitor*: Between September 4 and 7, the AK surveyed 40 cheapest food and cleaning products at seven supermarkets and discounters in Vienna. The stores: Billa, Billa Plus, Spar, Interspar, Hofer, Penny and Lidl. For the selected products, the AK collected the cheapest available product (i.e. the product with the low base price). Promotions are taken into account, but not loyalty card or bulk discount prices.
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.
