Three in ten Belgians went across the border to shop for groceries, on an average once every six weeks in 2022, says the Belgian Food Industry Federation (Fevia).
The habit of cross-border shopping surged towards the end of 2022 when energy and food prices increased steeply in Belgium. The French government introduced rebates on fuel and many Belgians crossed the border to benefit from the discount.
Between October and December 2022, the spending of Belgians in neighbouring countries increased by 36%. At that point, customers would go across the border to fill up with fuel and would stay to do their groceries, Fevia economist Carole Dembour explained.
Overall, France was the most popular destination, with 58% of purchases made there. This was followed by the Netherlands (22%), Germany and Luxembourg (both 20%), La Capitale reports.
Cross-border shopping may continue to rise in 2023 as prices are growing at a slower rate in France than in Belgium.
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According to La Capitale, the cost of a shopping trolley of groceries was 3% more this month – in Belgium it grew 8%. In France, the government requested that each brand put an "anti-inflation basket" on the shelves, meaning that a range of everyday products is sold at capped prices.
