Swedish food prices ease in September - Food Industry Report - Brief Article

Eurofood, Nov 7, 2002

Food prices at consumer level shrunk by 0.3% between August and September and were up 2.7% in year, according to figures released by Statistics Sweden.

Food prices eased, contrary to a 0.8% monthly gain in the bureau's wider Consumer Price Index (CPI) to an annual rise of 1.9% in September.

STEADY

Prices were steady in the meat sector, with beef prices edging 0.2% higher in month and an annual gain of 1.6%.

Pork prices slipped 1.9% in month and were down 1.3% in year to September, while poultry prices slipped 1.1% from August but were up 1.8% in year compared to at the same stage last year.

In the dairy sector, yoghurt prices eased 0.2% in month but were up a steady 5.8% in year.

Hard cheese prices were down 0.7% to September and were up 5.9% in year.

Butter and bread spreads products were also up between 4.4% and 5.9% in year but stayed unchanged in month.

FRUIT

The otherwise volatile fruit and vegetable prices were relatively steady in September, with prices on fresh and frozen fruit rising 1.3% in month to a 3.9% yearly gain and fresh and frozen vegetables easing 2.2% in month to a yearly decline of 0.8%.

In the beverage sector, coffee prices were unchanged in month and down 5.9% in year compared to last year.

Soft drinks however posted an increase, with prices up 1.1% in year after being stable from August.