In the Netherlands, bread and cereals are notably cheaper, with prices 14 percent below the European average. Dutch shoppers pay nearly 12.5 percent less for fish, and the price of milk, cheese, and eggs is 2.5 percent below the European benchmark.
From the category 'other food products,' which includes items like ready-made meals, herbs, and baby food, 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. Following are 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 consider German products more affordable and frequently shop there.
Eurostat acknowledges that some products are indeed more expensive in the Netherlands, but they are not all cheaper in Germany either. Prices can vary significantly depending on the region and type of store.
Germany often has lower base prices, but the Netherlands offers many more products on sale. More than a quarter of the groceries purchased by the Dutch are discounted, a figure that is lower in Germany.