Year-on-year comparison

Food has become cheaper again in some cases

(Bild: APA/dpa/Sven Hoppe)

Some food prices have become cheaper again year-on-year. According to a survey conducted by the Chamber of Labor (AK) in March 2024, the cheapest foods were 3.3% cheaper than in March 2023. A shopping basket containing the 40 cheapest food and cleaning products cost an average of EUR 75.79 in March 2023, compared to EUR 73.27 a year later. However, prices are still higher than before the sharp rise in inflation began in 2021.

For the comparison, the AK looked at 40 food and cleaning products for weekly needs in seven Viennese supermarkets and discount stores (Hofer, Lidl, Penny, Spar, Billa, Billa Plus, Interspar). Of these, 23 have become cheaper year-on-year. Sunflower oil (down 28.9 percent) and cucumbers (down 21.3 percent) stand out in particular, but wheat flour (down 11.8 percent) and granulated sugar (down 13.6 percent) also became significantly cheaper.

Potatoes and tomatoes became more expensive
Four products remained at the same price level (mineral water, canned beer, mixed bread, bean coffee) and 13 products became more expensive. These include potatoes (up 27.4 percent) and tomatoes (up 23.5 percent).

Every food product more expensive than before the 2021 rise in inflation
Compared to the start of the rise in inflation in September 2021, prices for the 40 foodstuffs surveyed are consistently higher. The largest increases in a two-and-a-half-year comparison were recorded by potatoes at 103.0% and penne pasta at 89.7%. Wheat flour became 88.2 percent more expensive. The lowest price increases were recorded for liquid laundry detergent (up 2.6 percent) and dessert apples (up 6.2 percent).

Price increase for branded drugstore goods
The AK also took a close look at drugstore goods and compared the prices in April 2024 with April of the previous year. The 31 cheapest drugstore products from Bipa, DM and Müller have become 15.1 percent cheaper in online retail, while they only cost 8.9 percent less in stores. In contrast, 99 branded drugstore products were 4.2 percent more expensive online at Bipa, DM, Müller, Billa and Interspar.