Food Prices Shock Major Hike in Germany: Peppers, Berries, More

inflation: Food Prices for peppers, berries and cucumbers are skyrocketing

Food prices have increased compared to March 2024. Some fruits and vegetables have increased particularly sharply. Sugar and garlic, however, are cheaper than a year ago.

Many food items in Germany are more expensive than they were a year ago. In March, consumers had to pay an average of three percent more than a year ago, according to the Federal Statistical Office  .

Inflation rose particularly sharply for some types of fruit and vegetables. Peppers cost 34.5 percent more in March of this year than twelve months earlier. According to the Agricultural Market Information Company (AMI), this is due to a tense market situation, including extreme weather in Spain. High humidity is also affecting the condition of the pods.

Chocolate and butter cost more

Prices for cucumbers (+23.7%) and tomatoes (+19.9%) also rose year-on-year. Strawberries, raspberries, and gooseberries (+23.7%) were particularly affected. According to AMI, the supply of raspberries has recently been scarce. The cool weather in the Mediterranean region has affected the season and delayed the ripening of the berries.

Chocolate bars (+25.1%), butter (+23.3%), and orange and other fruit juices (+18.7%) are also significantly more expensive than a year ago. The price of butter rose to a record high in the fall, but fell again in February.

However, there are also food items whose prices have fallen compared to March 2024. For sugar, for example, consumers had to pay 26.1 percent less. Onions, garlic (-12.7%), and carrots (-10.8%) were cheaper.

Overall, life in Germany did not increase as much in March as in previous months. According to the Federal Statistical Office, consumer prices were 2.2 percent higher than in the same month last year. In recent years, inflation had often been significantly higher – mostly driven by food prices.

By up to 35 percent: Food Prices for peppers, berries and cucumbers are skyrocketing

A costly trip to the supermarket: Some groceries are significantly more expensive than a year ago. However, some products have become cheaper.

Food prices are rising. In March, people in Germany had to pay an average of 3.0 percent more than a year ago, according to the Federal Statistical Office. Prices for some products in supermarkets and discount stores are even significantly higher.

An analysis by the authority shows that peppers cost 34.5 percent more in March of this year than twelve months earlier. According to the Agricultural Market Information Company (AMI), the market situation is tense. In Spain, recent weather extremes have led to crop failures.

In addition, the high humidity is affecting the condition of the peppers. German wholesale prices for red peppers were more than €3.50 per kilo at the beginning of April, above the average of recent years.

Juices more expensive, sugar cheaper than a year ago

Strong price increases were also observed for cucumbers (+23.7 percent) and tomatoes (+19.9 percent). Among fruit, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, and similar products (+23.7 percent) were particularly affected. According to AMI, raspberries have recently been in short supply. The cool weather in the Mediterranean region has affected the season and repeatedly delayed ripening, it says.

Consumers also had to dig significantly deeper into their pockets than a year ago for chocolate bars (+25.1 percent), butter (+23.3 percent), and orange and other fruit juices (+18.7 percent). 
The price of butter rose to a record high in the fall , but fell again in February.

However, some food items were recently considerably cheaper than in March 2024. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the price of sugar was 26.1 percent lower. Also cheaper were onions, garlic, and similar items (down 12.7 percent), as well as carrots (down 10.8 percent).

Overall, life in Germany did not increase as much in March as in previous months. Consumer prices in this country were 2.2 percent higher than in the same month last year. Inflation had often been significantly higher in recent years. This was driven primarily by rising food prices. 

Price shock at the supermarket checkout: Food prices have risen dramatically

Inflation in Germany reached 2.2 percent in March, the Federal Statistical Office announced on Friday. However, citizens experienced a real price shock at the checkout when shopping: vegetables, coffee, and chocolate, in particular, became significantly more expensive.

Shopping isn’t much fun for many people these days. Anyone who puts the “wrong” products in their shopping cart is in for a nasty surprise at the checkout at the supermarket or discount store. Those who bought vegetables, coffee, oil, or chocolate, in particular, paid significantly more than they did a year ago.

Peppers cost 34.5 percent more than a year ago

An analysis by the Federal Statistical Office shows that bell peppers cost 34.5 percent more in March of this year than twelve months previously. According to the Agricultural Market Information Company (AMI), the market situation is tense. In Spain, recent weather extremes have led to crop failures. Furthermore, the high humidity is affecting the condition of the peppers. German wholesale market prices for red bell peppers at the beginning of April were more than €3.50 per kilo, above the average for recent years.

Strong price increases were also observed for cucumbers (+23.7 percent) and tomatoes (+19.9 percent). Among fruit, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, and similar crops (+23.7 percent) were particularly affected. According to AMI, there has recently been a shortage of raspberries. The cool weather in the Mediterranean region has affected the season and repeatedly delayed ripening, it is said.

Consumers also had to dig significantly deeper into their pockets than a year ago for chocolate bars (+25.1 percent), butter (+23.3 percent), and orange and other fruit juices (+18.7 percent). The price of butter rose to a record high in the fall, but fell again in February.

Coffee up to 43 percent more expensive depending on the brand

When it comes to coffee, it all depends on the brand: The prices for ground coffee or coffee pods from Jacobs, Mövenpick, Melitta, or Senseo are between nine and 33 percent higher than at the turn of the year. For coffee beans from these brands, the price is even up to 43 percent higher. The cheaper private labels of grocery stores such as “Barissimo,” “Bellarom,” “Gut & Günstig,” or “Ja” cost 28 to 30 percent more than at the beginning of January.

When asked about the reasons, retailers and experts point to the sharp rise in commodity prices. The cause is said to be drought and poor harvest forecasts, especially in the most important producing country, Brazil. Tchibo also raised its prices in February – depending on the variety, between 50 cents and 1 euro per pound.

Coffee had already become more expensive at supermarkets and discount stores in recent years. At the beginning of 2022, the cheapest 500-gram pack of private label ground coffee was still available for €2.99. Now, the price is €5.49, almost 84 percent higher.

Bitter just before Easter: Chocolate also significantly more expensive – and especially Easter bunnies

Some food products, however, were recently considerably cheaper than in March 2024. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the price of sugar was 26.1 percent lower. Onions, garlic, and similar items (down 12.7 percent) and carrots (down 10.8 percent) were also cheaper.

Consumers also had to dig significantly deeper into their pockets than a year ago for chocolate bars (+25.1 percent), butter (+23.3 percent), and orange and other fruit juices (+18.7 percent). The price of butter rose to a record high in the fall, but fell again in February.

A bitter pill just before Easter: The price increase for chocolate Easter bunnies was significantly higher. The Consumer Center even warned against the price increases. Chocolate Easter bunnies are 50 cents to 1.50 euros more expensive than chocolate bars with the same amount of cocoa. Significant price differences are also being criticized. Easter bunnies from various brands cost two to three times as much as similar discount store products, even though the cocoa content varies only slightly.

“The cost of producing a chocolate bunny, chick, or lamb cannot be compared to the price of a bar of chocolate.”

A spokesperson for the German Federation of German Producers (BDSI) on criticism of expensive chocolate Easter bunnies.

The German Federation of German Producers (BDSI) defended the manufacturers against the criticism. “The production effort required to make a chocolate bunny, chick, or lamb cannot be compared to the price of a bar of chocolate,” said a spokesperson. Easter confectionery places significantly higher demands on product design, personnel deployment, storage, and logistics.

Sugar, onions, garlic and energy became cheaper

Some food products, however, were recently considerably cheaper than in March 2024. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the price of sugar was 26.1 percent lower. Onions, garlic, and similar items (down 12.7 percent) and carrots (down 10.8 percent) were also cheaper.

Energy prices fell by 2.8 percent compared to the same month last year, according to the data. In the previous three months, the price decline had been 1.6 percent in each of the three months. Fuels, in particular, were cheaper in March due to the lower oil price (down 4.6 percent). Electricity prices fell by 2.1 percent. Gas and district heating, on the other hand, were more expensive than a year earlier.

CONCLUSION

Overall, life in Germany did not increase quite as much in March as in previous months. Consumer prices in this country were 2.2 percent higher than in the same month last year. In recent years, inflation had often been significantly higher. This was driven primarily by rising food prices.

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Sources used:

• With material from the News agencies Reuters news agency, Apr, and dpa. With information from news.google.com. Statement and reports from reputable news sources, including  Wikipedia, BBC, CNN. The content has been independently analyzed and rewritten to provide original insights.

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