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Belgian food prices 8% higher than EU average
Prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages in Belgium last year were 8% higher than the average prices across the European Union, according to a Eurostat study. Denmark, Sweden and Austria are the most expensive countries to buy food, according to the study, while Bulgaria, Romania and Poland are the cheapest. Food costs more than twice as much in the most expensive country compared to the cheapest country.
The study shows that consumers in Denmark pay 45% more for their groceries than the European average, while in Romania they spend 37% less than the average.
Belgium's score of +8% is comparable to neighbouring countries, Germany (+ 3%) and France and Luxembourg, where food is slightly more expensive than in Belgium. In the Netherlands, however, food costs 2% less.
Comments
That's the global figure. For many individual (essential) food and/or household products, one can save 30-50% and more on Belgian prices by shopping selectively in neighbouring countries. For instance, fresh milk (hard to find in Belgium) is half-price or less in the Netherlands and Germany.
There are also a number of products found across the border(s) that are simply not available in Belgium.
Agree with ANON 2, prices in D and NL much lower than the EU averages suggest. The real question is why? Is it the customary Belgian habit of price fixing that we constantly see with white goods and the like. And why don't the competition authorities ever investigate?
The answer is simply the high labour costs. Denmark, Sweden and Belgium have the highest labour costs in Europe, therefore have the highest food prices.. There is also a lack of competition, but that is because it is so expensive to start and run a business in Belgium, again due to labour costs.