In recent years, food prices have risen in rocket speed – as much as 27 percent since 2022, according to Statistics Sweden’s calculations.
This as a result of several price increases – especially the food price rush 2023.
“Prices have increased from an already high level that has become over time,” says Caroline Neander, price statistics at Statistics Sweden.
Food prices have skyrocketed and only in February this year, prices increased by an additional 3.9 percent compared to February last year. This is at the peak of several previous increases, especially from 2023 when food prices rushed. Statistics Sweden has now calculated that the Swedes’ grocery bags have become 27 percent more expensive since inflation took off in 2022.
– It doesn’t look like such a high increase if you only look a year back, but then it has already increased a lot over time, says Caroline Neander to TV4 News.
The coffee price has rushed
According to Statistics Sweden, food prices in its entirety have increased more than inflation, but both at the same time follow their curves.
– Prices started to go up in June 2022 really well, then it has gone up at a furious pace all the time.
Dairy products, coffee and chocolate are among the foods that have risen most in February. According to Caroline Neander, coffee is an item that has been exposed to several price increases in recent years. Since February last year, a package has risen by 28 percent. Harvests that have been affected by climate change and costs for producers are mentioned as important causes.
– It also costs more to produce the food now, but in the end it is consumers in the grocery store who have to pay, says Caroline Neander.
The press increases on the food giants
The rampant food prices have sparked debate and led to calls for boycotts of some grocery stores during week 12. At the same time, it has become known that Axfood distributes SEK 1.9 billion to the shareholders – but the wages of employees are held back.
On Thursday, Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson (M) and Rural Minister Peter Kullgren (KD) met representatives of several major food players.
– I think it is good that politicians and traders can communicate about why prices go up and what to do about it, says Caroline Neander.