This evaluation of food prices in Poland follows on naturally from Finding Poland’s post on the cost of living in Poland.
To gain an overview of current grocery prices in Poland, I visited my local supermarket, Carrefour. It’s located in Galeria Morena shopping centre.
Updating this post on September 8, 2023, I will compare prices observed just before this date with prices recorded for the previous version of this post which I published in February 2023.
A General Overview of the Prices of Staple Goods in Poland
Before analysing the prices of certain foods within specific food groups, here’s an overview of the price of mostly staple goods which I recorded in Carrefour in both early February 2023 and early September 2023:
Notes:
* Where possible, I have chosen Carrefour’s own Carrefour Classic products
** Activia yoghurt – 180 g in February 2023. 165 g in August 2023
Food prices in Poland are stabilising
The table above indicates that food prices are generally stabilising.
Out of the prices of 16 products I tracked both in February 2023 and early September 2023, there have only been two notable increases in price. These are for Krakowska Sucha ham and Activia natural yoghurt.
Of course, it’s difficult to draw too many conclusions from these significant price increases because it’s possible that another brand of yoghurt or ham may have seen a decrease in price between February and September 2023.
Taking a closer look at the prices of various food groups in Poland
Now that I’ve dealt with food prices in Poland in a general sense, let me give my views pertaining to food prices of various foods within the main food groups.
Dairy products
Like in every country I suppose, the price of dairy products in Poland soared in the early part of 2023.
When it comes to eggs, it’s a matter of debate as to how to separate a ‘normal’ egg from a bio/eco/free range egg. The only genuine ‘organic’ eggs I know of are laid in a chicken pen in my parents-in-law’s garden.
However, even if these eco/bio/free range eggs are the real deal, I think it’s bordering on criminal to even attempt to charge consumers around 15 zł for ten eggs. However, it seems as if egg prices have come down a bit this summer.
The price of cheese slices is out of control. For instance, it costs 7,59 zł for 150 grams of Sierpc Ser Królewski cheese slices. Shocking.
Meat
Generally speaking, meat prices are seriously out of hand.
In January 2023, I recorded a price of 9,00 zł for 450 grams of mixed pork and beef mincemeat. A month later, the price was 11,99 zł. This price is still the same as of early September 2023. Not only did a price rise occur in early 2023, the weight of Carrefour’s own mixed pork and beef mincemeat was also cut from 450 to 400 grams.
Based on this example, I fear that something far more sinister than inflation influenced the dramatic increase in food prices in Poland in early 2023.
A 33% rise in price of mincemeat and ‘sticky fingers’ when it comes to the weight.
Greed.
Fish
Of course, the price of fish hasn’t escaped the impact of gree__, sorry inflation.
For a kilo of skinless cod, it cost 80 zł in February.
I was mildly surprised when I saw that the price of cod has fallen around 17.5% from its February level.
I must admit that I’ve always been fond of toasted sandwiches with smoked salmon slices. Indeed, I used to buy salmon slices marinated with dill when they cost around 8 zł. The price of these salmon slices has shot up by around 50%.
Fruit
I like certain stone fruits, such as mangoes. Pomegranates are another favourite of mine. However, fruit varieties such as those are really expensive in Poland. For instance, it currently costs 8,99 zł for a large mango in Carrefour.
What about that wonder, the avocado? Judging by the price of an avocado in Carrefour – up to 8 zł – it’s definitely a luxury item in Poland.
Still, I should look on the bright side – apples, pears and oranges are still quite cheap.
Food prices in Poland
Food prices in Poland have gone through the roof in 2023. Despite some optimistic signs of the stabilisation of prices over the summer, I do fear further food price rises going into 2024.
What next? 10 zł for a loaf of white bread?
These must be worrying times for many families in Poland.