Skyrocketing Food Costs: Consumer Activists Demand Price Decrease
In a bid to combat the rising costs of food and beverages, consumer advice centres in Germany are advocating for greater transparency in food price formation. The call comes as more than 4,000 complaints about food and beverages were received by these centres in the first half of 2025, with prices, quality, product safety, and deceptive advertising being the main concerns.
The demand for transparency aims to empower consumers and enable fairer pricing by providing clearer and more accessible information about the underlying costs and pricing structures in the food supply chain. Consumer advice centres also support measures that improve price transparency at the retail level and throughout the supply chain to reduce unwarranted price inflation and speculation.
The ongoing issues with food prices and quality may contribute to the public's dissatisfaction with the federal chancellor's goal of achieving a more positive mood. Ramona Pop, head of the federal association, has called for tangible relief, especially for high food prices. She emphasized that a healthy, sustainable, and varied diet should not be a luxury based on one's financial situation.
While the federal chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has formulated a goal to achieve a turnaround to a more positive mood after a long period of economic weakness by summer, the announcement of the electricity tax reduction for certain businesses does not address the concerns about rising food prices. A reduction in the electricity tax for private households is, however, suggested as a step forward.
The complaints about food and beverages encompass a variety of issues, with prices being the primary concern at 27 percent, followed by quality and product safety at 22 percent, and advertising at 16 percent. Consumer advice centres are demanding stronger countermeasures to rising everyday expenses. They believe that a consumer policy that addresses everyday issues can strengthen trust in politics.
Although the focus in recent discussions has been on EU trade countermeasures and tariffs between the US and the EU, general EU strategies related to tariffs and trade regulations could indirectly affect food prices by influencing import costs on agricultural products such as poultry, beef, dairy, nuts, and oils.
In summary, consumer advice centres in Germany emphasize enhanced transparency, supported by regulatory and policy efforts at the EU level, to tackle the problem of high food prices and protect consumer interests. Specific countermeasures proposed include promoting open price reporting and controlling unfair pricing practices along the food supply chain. It remains to be seen whether the federal association will take action or launch an investigation based on the complaints about food and beverages.
- Transparency in finance is also crucial for consumers, as understanding the costs involved in food-and-drink production can help individuals make informed decisions about their personal-finance management, particularly when it comes to budgeting for meals.
- Advocating for transparent pricing in the food industry might be extended to other areas like personal-finance services and lifestyle products, allowing consumers to better understand the pricing structures and make decisions that align with their financial situations.
