The Dutch Consumer Association reports that groceries** in supermarkets are slowly declining. In recent months, products such as milk, coffee, rice and potatoes have been cheaper by an average of 3%.
After a long period of inflation, groceries** are now down slightly. Inflation at supermarket checkouts has been evident for almost two years. At the beginning of this year, groceries** were even 18% higher than a year ago.
The Consumers Association said that at present** there is a slight decline, but groceries** are still 31% more expensive than two years ago, and factors such as the war in Ukraine, labor*** have led to groceries***
Milk is cheap and candy is expensive.
Producers and supermarkets have raised ** to cover the cost of raw materials, wages and energy***. Inflation and energy** are now down, and this is also reflected in groceries**.
According to the Consumer Association, fresh dairy products in particular have become cheaper. For example, a litre of semi-skimmed milk is on average 20% cheaper over a six-month period, a litre of whole milk is 16% cheaper, sunflower oil is 27% cheaper on average, and a can of peanut butter is 13% cheaper on average.
According to the association's investigation, some products have actually become more expensive, with a can of chicken broth averaging 13% and candy being more expensive because of the sugar ingredients.
Labor costs.
Experts do not expect a return to previous levels. This is partly due to increased wage costs, which are passed on to consumers. Experts told RTL z last week that prices will remain high as wages do not fall.
This article is compiled by the Sino-Dutch Business Daily, *Please indicate the source!