Västerbotten has Sweden's most expensive food.
Shoppers in one of the selected stores in Borås paid 1,200 kronor for a standard grocery basket. For the identical items in Stockholm, the price skyrocketed to 1,608 kronor, representing a 34% increase.
But size also plays a crucial role.
– It's a well-known fact that store size significantly impacts prices. Smaller stores generally have higher prices per kilogram, explains Ola Nilsson, a consumer affairs expert at PRO.
The annual survey, conducted since the early 1990s with the invaluable assistance of PRO members, compares prices for 43 essential food items across 680 selected stores nationwide.
As expected, regional disparities remain significant. The highest prices were observed in Västerbotten, while western Sweden, particularly the southern Älvsborg region, offered the most affordable options.
Following the sharp price increases of 2022, the rate of inflation has noticeably slowed. The overall cost of the grocery basket increased by a modest 0.5%, although certain items, such as orange juice, experienced a substantial 30% price hike.
Several essential staples, including coffee, cocoa, chocolate, olive oil, and milk, have seen significant price increases, placing a considerable burden on consumers, Nilsson pointed out.
PRO chairperson Åsa Lindestam observed that organization members are increasingly facing financial hardship as pensions have not kept pace with the overall cost of living.
– Pensioners are reaching out to us, sharing their struggles to make ends meet, Lindestam stated.
These financial constraints can have severe consequences for older adults, primarily forcing them to prioritise essential expenses.
– Rent and food are non-negotiable. I suspect that some may be forced to forgo necessary medications, as they become a lower priority, Lindestam explained.
– This paints a grim picture for many pensioners today.