In some cases, food prices have become cheaper year after year. According to a survey by the Chamber of Labor (AK) from March 2024, the cheapest foods were 3.3 percent cheaper than in March 2023. A shopping basket with the 40 cheapest foods and cleaning products cost an average of 75.79 euros in March 2023, a year later it was 73.27 euros. However, prices are still higher than before the sharp increase in inflation in 2021.
For comparison, the AK looked at forty weekly food and cleaning products in seven Viennese supermarkets and discounters (Hofer, Lidl, Penny, Spar, Billa, Billa Plus, Interspar). Of these, 23 have become cheaper year after year. Sunflower oil in particular stood out at minus 28.9 percent and cucumbers at minus 21.3 percent, but wheat flour (minus 11.8 percent) and granulated sugar (minus 13.6 percent) also became considerably cheaper.
Potatoes and pureed tomatoes became more expensive
Four products remained at the same price level (mineral water, canned beer, mixed bread, coffee beans) and 13 products became more expensive. This includes potatoes (plus 27.4 percent) and pureed tomatoes (plus 23.5 percent).
Every food item that is more expensive than before inflation rose in 2021
Compared to the start of the rise in inflation in September 2021, prices for the forty food items observed are consistently higher. The biggest increases in a two and a half year comparison were recorded for potatoes at 103.0 percent and penne pasta with an increase of 89.7 percent. Wheat flour became 88.2 percent more expensive. The lowest price increases were for liquid detergent (up 2.6 percent) and dessert apples (up 6.2 percent).
Price increase for branded drugstore items
The AK also examined drugstore items and compared the prices of April 2024 with April of the previous year. The 31 cheapest drugstore products from Bipa, DM and Müller have become 15.1 percent cheaper online, while they are only 8.9 percent cheaper in stores. In contrast, 99 branded drugstore products online at Bipa, DM, Müller, Billa and Interspar have become 4.2 percent more expensive.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
