Grocery Costs Surge: Cod, Broccoli, and Chocolate Hit Consumers’ Wallets
OSLO, Norway – Norwegian shoppers are facing significant price increases on everyday grocery items, including cod, broccoli, Nugatti chocolate spread, and Grandiosa frozen pizza, according to a recent price check by Nettavisen. The investigation reveals considerable price hikes at major supermarket chains Kiwi and Rema 1000, adding to growing concerns about the cost of living.
The rising prices impact household budgets nationwide as inflation continues to squeeze consumers. While supermarket chains acknowledge fluctuations,they attribute the increases to global factors like climate change,increased transport costs,higher raw material prices,and a weaker norwegian krone. The price check, examining 81 items, highlights the volatility of grocery costs and the challenges faced by shoppers seeking affordable food options.
Kiwi’s communications manager, Nora Helgesen, stated that a check of 81 items “says little about the general price trend,” emphasizing that their assortment includes “several thousand items.” She further explained that Statistics Norway’s price statistics,based on a “much larger selection of goods,” provide a more accurate picture of price developments.
Rema 1000’s Purchasing Director, Line Aarnes, echoed this sentiment, describing price tests as a “snapshot” representing a “very limited selection of goods.” Aarnes noted that “time-limited campaigns” can significantly impact a shopping basket comprising less than 3% of their total range. She attributed broader price increases to “known reasons such as climate change, increased transport costs, higher raw material prices and a weak norwegian krone,” characterizing it as a “global phenomenon.”
However, Extra – owned by Coop – claims to have managed price growth more effectively than competitors. Director of Communications, Harald Kristiansen, stated that Nettavisen’s survey shows Extra “succeeded better in holding back price growth,” with their shopping basket experiencing the lowest price increase and emerging as the cheapest in the overall price test. Kristiansen also pointed out the influence of campaigns and noted that Statistics Norway’s figures are from September, not October.
