Food prices up by over 11 percent

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. In 2001, the price increase was also high, but slightly lower than in June 2022. None of the food categories fell in price in June 2022.

Meat 16 percent more expensive

With a price increase exceeding 15 percent, meat and fish surpassed all other categories. A piece of meat bought in June 2022 cost over 16 percent more than one year previously. The price of fish was up by 10 percent. An average consumer spends over five times more on meat than on fish.

Dairy products became more expensive as well. At over 14 percent, the price increase was the highest since September 2008. Of all dairy, butter rose most sharply in price. This price increase is in line with that of other oils and fats, such as margarine and olive oil.

Most food expenditure goes to meat and fish

An average consumer spends around 11 percent of his expenditure on food. In 2021, this amounted to almost 45 billion euros. A quarter of this amount was spent on meat and fish. On average, around 23 percent of total food expenditure went to fruit and vegetables. An average consumer spends 21 percent on bread and cereal products. Dairy products account for 14 percent of the total food expenditure.

Consumer prices for food follow producer prices

A rise in consumer food prices often follows a rise in producer prices. Prices at food producers have been rising for some time, and in May 2022 they rose by almost 23 percent compared to one year previously. Producer prices are strongly linked to food prices on the world market.

The developments in producer prices are reflected in the prices paid by consumers. However, the long production and distribution chain slows down this effect. Trade and transport margins also make consumer prices less extreme.

Price rise in the Netherlands close to EU average

The rise in food prices across the European Union as of June 2022 is not known yet. In May 2022, the increase in the Netherlands was around the EU average. Prices rose slightly less in Belgium than in the Netherlands; in Germany, prices rose somewhat more sharply. In the Eastern European countries in particular, the food price increase was higher than in the Netherlands.

Dutch food price level lower than in the EU

In 2021, the level of food prices in the Netherlands was slightly below that in the European Union. In both Belgium and Germany, the average price level of food was higher than in the Netherlands. In many Eastern European countries, food is cheaper than in the Netherlands. The general price level of all consumer goods and services in the Netherlands is higher than the European average.