Holidays are approaching, and German wallets are feeling the pinch more than ever. A recent analysis by North Rhine-Westphalia's consumer advice center reveals that typical Christmas dishes' ingredients are now 27% pricier than two years ago.
Looking at classics like sausages with potato salad, raclette, and holiday treats like cookies, gingerbread, and stollen, the comparison was made using data from the Federal Statistical Office and Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI).
From canned sausages to potatoes, a multitude of foodstuffs have seen a substantial hike in price. For example, sausages cost 34.6% more, while potatoes set back your wallet by 33.8%. The increases aren't limited to meat and vegetables, either. Sliced cheese, cabbage, peppers, and white bread also experienced substantial price increases. Even Christmas cookie ingredients, such as sugar, wheat flour, margarine, and eggs, saw their costs skyrocket.
Silvia Monetti, a nutrition expert at the North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center, comments on this financial burden. "Nearly 14 million Germans are struggling with poverty or are at risk of falling into it. Christmas dinner will inevitably put a strain on many families' budgets this year," she says.
The inflation rate in November 2023 is expected to be 3.2%, the lowest since June 2021. However, this slight reduction doesn't seem to have a significant impact on food prices, which remain higher than average. The total cost of a €100 supermarket shopping trip in November 2022 has risen by an average of €5.50 in 2023.
In such difficult financial times, some Germans are looking for creative ways to cut costs. They're exploring tips provided by consumer centers, opting for vegetarian alternatives, or focusing on locally sourced ingredients. Even major grocery stores in Germany are offering affordable and non-traditional Christmas dinner options to help households on a tight budget.
On the upside, companies like AMI are working closely with farmers and suppliers to ensure a steady supply of Christmas dinner ingredients, fostering food security in Germany. However, these price hikes are also impacting restaurants and catering businesses, potentially making it more challenging to celebrate the holidays in public spaces.
Sources:
