Supermarket inflation stabilised between July and August, according to Test Achats, but the consumer rights organisation has warned the incoming government against increasing taxes on basic food products.
Test Achats measures grocery inflation by tracking the price of more than 3,000 products in seven supermarket chains in Belgium: Albert Heijn, Carrefour, Colruyt, Cora, Delhaize, Aldi and Lidl.
Inflation sat at 2.5% in August, holding steady at 2.49% in July, although there was still a slight increase from 2.31% in June.
As measured by the Belgian statistics office Statbel, the consumer price index, which includes many consumer products and services beyond supermarket goods, put August inflation at 2.86%, falling from 3.64% in July.
Olive oil and chocolate fondants rise
Just like the previous month, in August the biggest annual price increases were for olive oil (+27%) and chocolate fondants (+22%). August also saw a spike in the price of orange juice (+23%) compared to the same time last year, due to poor orange harvests.
Meanwhile, the products that saw the biggest drop in prices were baby wipes (-14%), and carrots and bananas (both -8%).
In terms of more general categories, the price of soft drinks has increased by 7%, and the cost of fruit and vegetables by 4%.
On the other end, the product categories that saw the biggest price declines were paper products (such as paper towels, tissues and toilet paper) and other food films (such as tin foil and cling film), which fell by 3%, and cleaning products which fell by 1%.
Although food inflation is levelling off, Test Achats still cautioned against taxes which would increase the price of basic foods.
"Although negotiations for a federal government are temporarily bogged down, Test Achats recalls the importance of healthy food that is accessible to all and its opposition to an increase in VAT on basic food products," the organisation said.
The Test Achats basket is still 27% more expensive than in January 2022, when inflation first rose about 2%.
In particular, ketchup is now 85% more expensive than in January 2022, while olive oil is 66% more expensive, potatoes prices are 53% higher, and grey shrimps cost 42% more.
