Up to 44% more expensive

Food remains at a high price level

The cheapest food and some cleaning products became an average of 1.6% more expensive between December 2022 and December 2023.(Bild: APA/dpa/Sven Hoppe)

Food and drugstore products have remained at a high price level since the wave of inflation in September 2021, but hardly became more expensive in January. In contrast to branded products, which rose by four percent.

The cheapest foods saw a sharp rise in prices as a result of inflation - they cost a hefty 44% more. Both the cheapest and branded foods and drugstore products are stuck at a high price level.

Between December 2022 and December 2023, the cheapest food and some cleaning products became 1.6% more expensive on average.(Bild: APA/dpa/Sven Hoppe)

An AK price monitor from the beginning of December 2023 at seven Viennese supermarkets and discounters (Hofer, Lidl, Penny, Billa, Billa Plus, Interspar, Spar) shows that Cheapest food and some cleaning products became 1.6 percent more expensive on average between December 2022 and December 2023.

Basket of goods cost an average of 72.40 euros in December
In December 2022, the basket of goods cost an average of 72.40 euros, in December 2023 just under 74 euros. Some foods have become noticeably more expensive, for example the cheapest potatoes (one kilogram) cost an average of €0.78 in December 2022 and €1.14 in December 2023 - that's an increase of 46%.

Apples cost almost twice asmuch
 Since the start of the inflation wave in September 2021, the cheapest foods have skyrocketed - by an average of almost 44%. With the exception of dessert apples, the prices of individual products have risen across the board since September 2021, with some products almost doubling in price: potatoes, for example, have risen by around 102%, sunflower oil by around 99%, penne pasta by around 90% and flour by around 88%. In December 2023, consumers had to pay 4.5 percent more for branded groceries in the online stores of Billa and Interspar than a year ago.

The cheapest drugstore products cost an average of 0.6% more in online stores in January 2024 than in January 2023, while they were an average of 1.3% cheaper in stores.