Food prices up by more than 11 percent

On average, consumers paid over 11 percent more for food in June 2022 than in the previous year. The increase in food prices was therefore higher than the general price increase for goods and services of 8.6 percent. This is what the CBS reported based on a more detailed analysis of the consumer price index.

It is rare for food prices to rise so sharply. The last time prices rose by more than 10 percent on average over a whole year was in 1976. Not a single category of foodstuffs fell in price in June 2022.

Meat 16 percent more expensive

Meat and fish topped the list with a price increase of more than 15 percent. The price of a piece of meat was 16 percent higher in June 2022 than a year earlier. The price of fish rose by 10 percent. An average consumer spends more than 5 times as much on meat as on fish.

Dairy products also became more expensive. With more than 14 percent, the price increase was the highest since August 2008. Butter prices rose the most among dairy products. This price increase is in line with that of other oils and fats, such as margarine and olive oil.

Most food spending goes on meat and fish

An average consumer spends about 11 percent of his/her expenses on food, totalling nearly 45 billion euro in 2021. A quarter goes to meat and fish. Of all foodstuffs, an average of 23 percent was spent on fruit and vegetables. An average consumer spends 21 percent on bread and cereal products. Dairy spending accounts for 14 percent of total food spending.

Consumer food prices follow producer prices

A rise in consumer food prices often follows a rise in producer prices. Food producer prices have been rising for some time, and in May 2022 they rose by almost 23 percent compared to a year earlier. The developments in producer prices are reflected in the prices paid by consumers. However, the long production and distribution chain has a delaying effect on this pass-through. Trade and transport margins also ensure that consumer prices do not follow such extreme trends.

Price rise in the Netherlands against EU average

The price increase for food in the European Union in June 2022 is not yet known. In May 2022, the price increase in the Netherlands was around the average of the European Union. In Belgium, the price increase was slightly lower than in the Netherlands and in Germany, the price increase was slightly higher. Especially in the Eastern European countries, the increase in food prices was higher than in the Netherlands.

cbs.nl