Expensive groceries: What's going on?

You will probably have noticed that groceries have become considerably more expensive over the past two years. While a few years ago I could manage less than €100 per week for three people, that is no longer possible. Of course it plays a role that there are four of us since March 2023, but even when I look back to the end of 2022 I see that prices started to rise from February 2023. At that time there were still three of us, but I went from €100 to €120 per week. In the meantime, in October 2024, I will soon be paying €140 per week, excluding diapers. And while we really don't buy luxury products.

We rarely drink soft drinks and I'm the only one in the house who drinks the occasional glass of ouzo, but I pay for that out of my own pocket, so it's out of the grocery budget. So what's the point? Especially in basic products such as fruit and meat. Some might say, "Then eat vegetarian and save on meat." But unfortunately, meat substitutes are not exactly cheaper and I am not in favor of those products.

Comparisons with Germany and Japan

It is not just the price of groceries that seems to be higher in the Netherlands. Other products, such as games and consoles, are also more expensive here. The new Zelda game, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, costs an average of €53.14 in the Netherlands, while the same game costs €39.36 in Japan. That makes a significant difference! You also see a big difference between consoles: the Nintendo Switch Lite Hyrule Edition costs €140.75 in Japan, while it costs €224 here. That's almost €80 difference. So when we go to Japan at the end of 2025, I already know what I will take with me in my suitcase.

Even Disneyland tickets are cheaper in Japan. A day ticket for Disneyland Paris costs €72 for one park, while for Disneyland Tokyo you pay €57.57. Only Disneyland in California is more expensive, at almost €95 per ticket.

Grocery comparisons: Netherlands vs. Germany

I recently went to Kleve in Germany for a day with my mother, and I immediately noticed the price differences in the supermarkets. Here are some examples:

As you can see, products such as alcohol and cosmetics are often much cheaper in Germany. Even smaller things like sweets and coffee are cheaper there.

Healthy versus unhealthy eating

What also strikes me is that unhealthy food is often cheaper than fresh and healthy food. For example, if you want to buy fruit or vegetables, you pay a considerable amount, while sweets, cookies and pre-packaged products remain relatively cheap. This makes it difficult to eat healthily affordably, while increasing the temptation to choose cheaper, less healthy options.

How I try to limit costs

Since 2023, I have been more conscious about keeping costs within limits. I no longer have my groceries delivered and look carefully at the offers. If necessary, I go to multiple stores. An example: last week Albert Heijn had good offers on meat, so I bought more than usual and put it in the freezer. That will make a difference for the coming weeks. We also eat less meat, because it is really one of the most expensive products.

What do you do to reduce the costs of your groceries? Share your experiences, I'm curious! Let me know in the comments below the Instagram post of this blog.

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