Food prices in Dutch supermarkets are among the lowest in Europe, according to a study by the European statistical agency Eurostat. Dutch people pay 2 percent less than the European average for their typical shopping cart.
In the Netherlands, bread and grains are noticeably cheaper, with prices 14 percent below the European average. Dutch people pay almost 12.5 percent less for fish, and the price of milk, cheese and eggs is 2.5 percent below the European benchmark.
The category 'other foods', which includes products such as ready-made meals, herbs and baby food, shows that prices in the Netherlands are about 3.5 percent below the European average.
Switzerland tops the list, with food prices 63 percent higher than the European average. This is followed by the Scandinavian countries Norway, Denmark and Sweden. In Germany, groceries cost 7 percent more than the European average.
The findings contradict the perception of many Dutch people, especially those living near the German border, who often view German products as more affordable and often shop there.
Eurostat recognizes that although some products are more expensive in the Netherlands, not all of them are cheaper in Germany. Prices can vary significantly depending on region and store type.
Germany often has lower basic prices, but the Netherlands has many more products on offer. More than a quarter of the Dutch people's groceries are on sale, a figure that is lower in Germany.