Food prices in Germany - statistics & facts
Food prices in Germany have shown significant growth in recent years. The higher figures were a consequence of shortages during the coronavirus pandemic, and then the Russia-Ukraine war. The war began in February 2022 and triggered an energy cost increase around the world. Food imports, supply, and delivery routes have been affected, prices went up and German inflation levels increased noticeably as well, though these have decreased again in recent months.
A consumer price index (CPI) is an indicator of inflation development, as well as a way to track the change in prices for consumer goods and services which are bought or paid for by private households. These goods and services include food, clothing, and vehicles, as well as rent payments, cleaning services, maintenance and repairs. The CPI records an average price development for all expenditures within Germany.
Consumer prices for food in Germany had increased noticeably across product groups. In 2023, dairy products and eggs were around 16 percent more expensive than the year before. Meat and meat products saw a price spike of roughly 8.3 percent and vegetables cost some 13 percent more. Private household consumer spending on food, beverages and tobacco had grown almost annually in the 2000s, resulting in a total of around 276 billion euros as of 2022.
The rise in food prices has driven many households to reconsider not only their spending as such, but their budget and financial attitudes overall. The majority of Germans were of the opinion that food prices had grown significantly. As of summer 2022, around 79 percent of German consumers also stated that food prices had taken on larger importance for them. With the levels that the increases have reached, the impact on daily life has become much more noticeable, especially since these developments are not a short-term change. It is difficult to predict when the situation will turn around. It also remains to be seen how consumer behavior and decisions will be influenced long-term.
A consumer price index (CPI) is an indicator of inflation development, as well as a way to track the change in prices for consumer goods and services which are bought or paid for by private households. These goods and services include food, clothing, and vehicles, as well as rent payments, cleaning services, maintenance and repairs. The CPI records an average price development for all expenditures within Germany.
Consumer prices for food in Germany had increased noticeably across product groups. In 2023, dairy products and eggs were around 16 percent more expensive than the year before. Meat and meat products saw a price spike of roughly 8.3 percent and vegetables cost some 13 percent more. Private household consumer spending on food, beverages and tobacco had grown almost annually in the 2000s, resulting in a total of around 276 billion euros as of 2022.
The rise in food prices has driven many households to reconsider not only their spending as such, but their budget and financial attitudes overall. The majority of Germans were of the opinion that food prices had grown significantly. As of summer 2022, around 79 percent of German consumers also stated that food prices had taken on larger importance for them. With the levels that the increases have reached, the impact on daily life has become much more noticeable, especially since these developments are not a short-term change. It is difficult to predict when the situation will turn around. It also remains to be seen how consumer behavior and decisions will be influenced long-term.
