Food sales in stores fell for the fourth consecutive year. Kristjan Anderson from Selver said that the rapid price increase that began in 2022 reduced people's purchasing power.
Food prices rose faster than wages. Anderson noted that by the end of 2023, wages began to rise faster than food prices.
In the future, the increase in food prices may slow down. Anderson believes that prices may rise by only 3-3.5 percent annually. This could give people more money.
People bought more fish. Fish prices fell by 5-10 percent, so people bought more of it. For example, shrimp purchases increased by almost a third.
Beef prices rose, so it was bought less. Anderson said that people may have chosen fish at the end of the year because they wanted to prepare a more festive meal.
Statistics show that people are eating healthier. More fresh food is being bought, and more people are preparing their own meals. Ground meat sales decreased, but chilled meat sales increased.
Anderson noted that people are buying less ready-made food. Instead, they are cooking more themselves. This can be cheaper and healthier.