Shopping trolley still 14.7% more expensive than a year ago

Although food inflation in Belgian supermarkets is falling, it still remains very high. Testaankoop calls for the government to take measures and act against deceptive practices such as “shrinkflation”.

While food inflation was still 15.4% in July, it fell to 14.7% in August. This is according to a new price survey by Testaankoop of 3,000 products in stores of supermarket chains Albert Heijn, Aldi, Carrefour, Colruyt, Cora, Delhaize and Lidl. An average family of two spent 533 euros in the supermarket last month, or 69 euros more than a year ago, according to the consumer organisation.

For six months in a row already, it is vegetables that have risen the most in price: they were on average 31% more expensive in August than a year ago. Carrots became 70% more expensive, onions +55%. Ketchup (+49%), tomato puree (+41%) and frozen fries (+39%) also continued to rise sharply in price. Eggs rose 25% in price, ready-to-eat dishes 23%, and paper goods 20% – and this despite inflation for this category also reaching 33% last year.

Testaankoop points out that falling commodity prices are not yet translating into lower prices on shop shelves. Although prices on international markets have been falling since March 2022 for vegetable oil (-48%), frying oil is now 36% more expensive on average in March last year. Dairy prices have been falling since June 2022, but more than 90% of semi-skimmed milk and young cheese are now more expensive than then. Cereals became 17% cheaper on average since October 2022, but flour and pasta are still mostly more expensive than in October last year.

The consumer organisation points an accusing finger at the government: “We feel that the government has not addressed this crisis. Rising prices have changed the eating habits of the majority of Belgians: they have opted for lower-quality products. Besides the impact on their wallets, this also has an impact on consumers’ health,” spokeswoman Julie Frère told La Libre.

She thinks the Economic Inspection should be more diligent in checking retailers’ promotional activities, and is surprised that the practice of shrinkflation, in which brands do not raise their prices but reduce the quantities sold, is considered legal.

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