The increase in food prices in February is the highest ever recorded by the site Matpriskollen, which compares food prices in Swedish stores, and it warns that we are now heading towards a situation where many Swedes will soon no longer be able to afford food on the table.
–We have never seen figures this high before, says founder Ulf Mazur.
The increase for groceries was 2.1 percent compared to January this year and for food it was an increase of 2.5 percent.
– For the whole of 2021, the price increase for daily consumer goods was 1.1 per cent. Now it is twice as much in February alone, Mazur continues.
Looking back over the past 12 months, everyday goods have become 15.2 percent more expensive and food 17.8 percent more expensive. Ulf Mazur believes that the skyrocketing prices are now leading to a situation where people no longer have food on the table.
– For many people, it doesn’t make sense. It’s becoming a problem that politicians need to do something about, especially for single people with children, for example. Those who are most in need must have food on the table.
It is worth noting that it is children’s food that has seen the biggest increase in prices – 10.8% in February alone. Formula has increased by an average of 11.7%, but some specific brands within the product category have increased by around 20%. At the same time, baby food jars and “squeezables” have also increased between 9.3% and 5.5% on average.
– The last time baby food was increased, in August last year, both nappies, formula and baby food were increased. Now it’s mostly baby food, but it’s affecting vulnerable groups, Mazur notes.
– Prices must not rise any more, it makes us so poor, he says, noting that every percentage point increase in food prices adds three billion euros to consumers’ costs.
Still, continued price increases are to be expected in the future. All food chains have already raised their prices this year – and more are expected soon.
Carl Eckerdahl, the chief economist of the food companies, points to several interacting factors as the cause of soaring food prices – including the corona outbreak, climate problems, a very weak Swedish krona and the war in Ukraine.
– It’s the worst concoction of witchcraft, he claims.
