News in Brief
Eurostat: Food price levels highest in Denmark
The price level of a comparable basket of food and non-alcoholic beverages across the EU was more than twice as high in the most expensive member state than in the cheapest one.
Price levels ranged from 62% of the EU average in Romania and 65% in Poland, to 150% of the average in Denmark, followed by Sweden (126%), Austria (125%), Luxembourg (123%), Finland (118%), Ireland (117%), Belgium, France and Italy (all 112%).
The food and non-alcoholic beverage category covers bread and cereals, meat, fish, milk, cheese, eggs, oils and fats, fruits, vegetables, potatoes, other food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Data are based on results of a price survey covering more than 2,400 consumer goods and services across Europe. Price level indices (PLIs) provide a comparison of countries' price levels relative to the European Union average.
Eurostat is the statistical office of the European Union.
Price for alcoholic beverages and tobacco showed significant variations between EU Member States.
The lowest price level was in Bulgaria (56% of the average), ahead of Romania (69%) and Hungary (70%).
The highest were in Ireland (174%) and the UK (157%), followed by the three Nordic EU Member States – Finland (139%), Sweden (127%) and Denmark (123%).
Eurostat said the large variation is mainly due to differences in taxation of the products among member states.
