Highest food price increase in 10 years

Food prices rose by 3.8 percent in May, almost the highest food price increase in the past decade. Meat and fish prices rose the most. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports this on the basis of a more detailed analysis of the consumer price index.

After the first months of 2009, food prices only rose in January 2013, September 2017 and April 2019 with a similar percentage as in May 2019. In January 2019, the low VAT rate was increased from 6 to 9 percent. This change in the tax rate had an upward effect on the rise in food prices. Food prices tend to fluctuate more than the consumer price index for all goods and services. Consumer goods and services were on average 2.4 percent more expensive in May 2019 than twelve months previously.

Highest price increase for meat and fish

The prices of meat and fish rose by nearly 5 percent in May 2019. This is the largest price increase in almost a year and a half. The price increase of bread and grains has fluctuated since January around the highest level in ten years time. The prices of dairy products rose by 3 percent this year and all other foodstuffs became on average more than 4 percent more expensive. Fruit and vegetables were 2.6 percent more expensive. The prices of vegetables rose, while fruit became cheaper.

Food 14.5 percent more expensive in 10 years time

In the space of ten years, food prices have risen by 14.5 percent. This is slightly lower than the average 16 percent increase in the price of all goods and services. Fruit and vegetables rose the most in this period, by almost 20 percent.