Product prices in supermarkets decreased by an average of 0.94% in December 2024 compared to December 2023, according to the results of a survey by the Consumer Retail Research Institute (IELKA). The same survey showed prices fully stabilising in the 12 months of 2024, with a marginal increase of +0.04% on average compared to the 12 months of 2023.

Prices in supermarket chains fell by -0.94% in December 2024. The change in December was due, according to IELKA, to decreases in both non-food categories and food categories, with only very specific categories showing an increase due to chance conditions, such as categories related to cocoa and coffee and specific fresh items due to climatic conditions.

The largest price decreases are recorded in the categories: detergents and cleaning products (-10.52%), pet food and supplies (-7.8%), stationery, cosmetics and personal hygiene products (-5.42%), baby and child food (-4.74%), frozen goods (-3.1%). The decreases recorded were a result of both the normalisation of the market after the pandemic and the reduction in producer prices for certain products. The largest increases were recorded in the categories: biscuits, chocolates, confectionery (+4.5%), fresh fish and seafood (+4.44%), appetizers, salted and other served items (+4.03%), alcoholic beverages (+3.42%), water, soft drinks, juices (+2.59%).

According to IELKA, international prices of cocoa and coffee certainly affect the categories of sweets and beverages, but also the category of breakfast items, which includes many items with chocolate. In relation to the increases in fish, due to the prolonged heat, there were not enough fish to catch, resulting in shortages in the market and an increase in their price, while fish farms are also marginally sufficient to meet demand. In relation to alcoholic beverages, the reduced production of grapes in 2023 led to an increase in 2024, as ripening products enter the market. It is noted that, of the 23 categories examined in the context of the survey, 14 recorded a decrease and nine an increase.