In August, food prices were completely still compared to July, on average. And over the past six months, it's about a marginal increase of 0.6 percent. Over a year, the increase is 3.5 percent, according to Matpriskollen which continuously measures the food prices of the food chains.
But of course, there are individual categories and goods that pull up and down.
Increased demand for chicken
Chicken, baby food, and berries have risen in price over the past month, chicken quite a lot so far this year.
It's due to the increased demand. We eat a lot more chicken. Beef is just getting more and more expensive, says Ulf Mazur.
Fruit and vegetables go up and down as usual, in August the trend was downward.
Erratic coffee signals
Coffee, which has been the food that has risen the most over the past year, went in different directions just a week ago depending on the manufacturer. The roasteries seem to have interpreted the signals on the world market completely differently, according to Ulf Mazur.
Zoega raised the prices, Arvid Nordqvist lowered and Gevalia remains still, he says.
But overall, there are currently no signals that food prices would take off again. The stronger krona is pushing down import prices. Farmers have not received more pay for milk, rather the opposite, which should mean that dairy products, which account for around 20 percent of households' food purchases, will remain still during the autumn, according to Mazur.
Difference from before
The price competition has become better, he thinks.
It's different from how it was before. Previously, the stores raised the prices, people went and shopped anyway. But now you're more fleeting.
Olle Lindström/TT
Facts: Food that has increased/decreased the most in price
TT
Food prices that have increased the most in August, compared to July, per category.
Coffee, 1.9%
Chicken & Bird, 1.0%
Baby food, 1.0%
Berries, 0.9%
Food prices that have decreased the most in August, compared to July.
Dried Fruit & Berries, -0.6%
Fresh Vegetables, -0.9%
Oil & Vinegar, -1.1%
Fruit, -1.7%
Source: Matpriskollen
