Food prices are rising. The employees in the supermarket can no longer keep up with changing the price tags on the shelves. FOCUS Online says for which food the price screw will continue to turn upwards in the near future.
A visit to the supermarket becomes a challenge for millions of people every week.
A liter of milk has already broken through the 1 euro mark, the cheapest butter is available for just under 2.30 euros and branded jam cracks the three euros. Bread, pasta and yoghurt are also more expensive than ever. A kilo of mixed rye bread now costs around 1.50 euros at discounters. At the beginning of the year, consumers paid about 1.10 euros for it. At the end of 2021, mixed rye bread was available for less than one euro per kilo.
And prices continue to spiral upwards. The current fertilizer price is to blame.
The most important cost factor in fertilizer production is gas. Due to the uncertainty in Europe, trade prices are rising, even though the demand for fertilizers is currently declining across Europe.
Manufacturers have driven up prices to such an extent that buyers are now warning of higher food prices in autumn.
Rising prices for grain and mineral fertilizers are reported on the most important trading centers in Europe. For urea, the price on the trading markets rose by 50 euros per ton.
After the outbreak of the Russian war in Ukraine, the price per ton rose to 1,300 euros per ton. In the meantime, people have moved away from these horror values, but the prices are still high. In June, the trading price for urea was EUR 735 per tonne, climbing to EUR 785 in July. At the end of 2021, producers were still paying less than 300 euros per ton for the important raw material.
The higher fertilizer prices have a direct impact on feed, soybean, vegetable and fruit prices. Because fertilizers are important in seeding and overseeding, the prices of nearly all staple foods are skyrocketing.
Farmers and the dairy industry have recently repeatedly complained about the massive increase in costs for energy, feed and fertilizers, thereby justifying the demands for higher prices. There is also a lack of staff because there are no helpers from Eastern Europe again.
The minimum wage is also to be raised in October, which could drive up prices again. A purchasing manager at a large German discounter said in an interview with FOCUS Online: “I wouldn’t be surprised if butter, milk and yoghurt became ten percent more expensive from autumn.” That would mean that 250 grams of butter cost four euros -Mark would scratch.
In fact, consumers already have to expect higher prices for basic foods.
Rapeseed has become significantly more expensive (plus 77.1 percent). In addition, producer prices for potatoes have more than doubled within a year (plus 106.2 percent). According to the statisticians, this is due to the poor harvests due to the weather and a relatively low price level in the same month of the previous year due to the pandemic.
Yes! As FOCUS Online learned, supermarkets such as Rewe and Edeka are already conducting initial condition negotiations with manufacturers. It’s not just about new products, it’s primarily about pricing. The basic tenor: the prices should rise, but there should be much more special offers for popular brands.
Where are prices rising particularly sharply? Soft drinks, beer, juices, ketchup, chocolate, snacks and ready meals are affected by high price adjustments.
Brand manufacturers want to raise prices, supermarkets want to avoid this or keep the adjustments small.
Live in the country: Visit dairy farmers, farms and farm markets in your place of residence. Fresh milk straight from the farm is currently cheaper than long-life whole milk at Aldi and Lidl. Butter that comes directly from the farm is also cheaper than organic butter at discounters.
Do you live in a big city: look out for special offers! Rewe and Lidl branches currently sell branded products for less than one euro per liter. Pay attention to the sell-by date and buy long-life whole milk or low-fat UHT milk in stock in such a case. As a guide, you can use the 12-pack of whole milk (3.5 percent fat). At Aldi Nord you now pay 13.09 euros for this. In December 2021, the price was still 9.60 euros.
Look actively in brochures and look for discount offers. Only buy branded products when they are on sale.
Go private label and get the biggest savings. For this you buy products that can be found on the lower shelves. If you only buy food and drinks that are at eye level on the shelf, you have to expect higher prices.
Good to know: Despite the current wave of prices, there are many ways to save.
Special and weekly offers remain an important building block for Aldi Süd, Aldi Nord, Lidl, Rewe, Edeka, Hit and Co.
Look in brochures and pay attention to billboards in the branches. Coupons and vouchers can also make weekly shopping cheaper. We list the corresponding offers for you here.
Good preparation and effective tips can save a lot of money every month. Ideally, families reduce their expenses by up to 140 euros a month – i.e. almost 35 euros per purchase.
1. Read brochures, note offers and look for coupons
Browse the supermarket catalogues. In this way, you are informed during your weekly shopping which products are particularly worthwhile. Write down the offers on a savings slip. Also, look for coupons in apps to save money locally too. Possible savings? Up to 50 percent off the regular price.
2. Create a weekly plan
Make a meal plan for a week. What do you want to eat on which days of the week and what foods do you need for this? With good preparation, you can save up to 50 euros per month because you do without “spontaneous purchases”.
3. Write down several shopping lists
Now use the menu to make several shopping lists – for each supermarket that you need to go to for the weekly shop. What ingredients do you need for the menu? What groceries do you need for the pantry? The most important question is: Where can you buy the groceries you need at a low price?
With such a list, you not only buy the groceries that you really need, but also always the cheapest bargains. The possible savings are around 50 euros per month.
4. Estimate the costs of the purchase – and save
Before you go shopping, calculate how much money you will need for groceries. This avoids expensive spontaneous purchases.
5. Compare prices by weight and volume
Pay attention to the basic price on the shelf. This always indicates the full kilo or liter price. This allows you to better compare the individual brands.
6. Don’t go without, buy your own brands
Saving does not mean doing without! For example, if you eat strawberry jam for breakfast in the morning, you don’t have to do without it because the price for the branded product is now over three euros per jar. If you are interested in the own brands “Rewe”, “Ja”, “Gut
7. Shop just before closing time
If you shop just before the store closes, you will often find good deals – especially in the vegetable, fruit, meat and yoghurt counters. At the weekly market or at the bakery, customers also get up to 50 percent. Don’t be afraid to ask the seller for discounts.
8. Don’t pay by card in the supermarket
To keep track of your finances, you should pay in cash and not by card.
Supermarket prices are skyrocketing, but furniture, clothing, shoes and other consumer goods are also becoming more expensive. As a retail expert, I know the tricks of the trade and tell you how you can save money for you and your family every month when shopping. Would you like to talk to me about your savings tips and tricks? Did you notice anything while shopping? Then send an e-mail to Konstantinos.mitsis@burda-forward.de with your name and phone number
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