Food prices rose by 3.9 percent in February compared to the same month last year. It is the biggest rise in more than a year, according to Statistics Sweden.
At the same time, Axfood has increased the dividend to the shareholders and ICA reported a profit of SEK 971 million for the fourth quarter last year.
This has led to upset feelings and on social media, an invitation to boycott the food giants has been spread.
The play: should be more expensive
But in fact, the food should be even more expensive, says Johanna Trapp, project manager at Timbro Environmental Institute.
– You can’t make food magically cheaper, but there is always someone who will pay for it. Either it is you, or the farmer – who has very small margins – or it is the environment with rainforest deforestation, work under difficult conditions and increased carbon dioxide emissions, she says.
The price increase is mainly due to the fact that food production has become more expensive, according to Johanna Trapp.
– The fact that prices are going up now is not because shop owners are greedy, but the goods needed to produce food have become more expensive, she says.
Johanna Trapp, project manager at Timbro Environmental Institute.
Johanna Trapp, project manager at Timbro Environmental Institute.
Photo: Press image/Timbro
She admits that it is “very awful” that people are tough with the economy, not least families with children. But at the same time, she points out that food spending today accounts for about 13 percent of households’ total expenditure.
“Never been richer”
In 1952, the same figure was 33 percent, according to Swedish grocery store. And in the 20th century, food spending amounted to 44 percent.
– Besides, we have never been richer. I think that perspective is missed a little bit, says Johanna Trapp.
She emphasizes that she herself grew up on a farm, with parents who are dairy farmers, and knows how much wear is entering the food production.
– And if you want a sustainable food production, especially in Sweden, then the food must cost. If you want Swedish rapeseed oil instead of Malaysian palm oil, you have to be prepared to pay the price.
Although she is positive that people use her consumer power, she does not believe that the boycott of the food giants will have the intended effect.
– I think that a boycott only leads to food waste and you miss that food can not only magically be cheaper.