Both in Poland and Germany, pre-Christmas shopping focuses on similar products: meat, eggs, bread, dairy products and sweets. However, the differences begin at the price level – and not only in euro or zloty terms, but also in relation to earnings, as Deutsche Welle writes.
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Two markets, similar products, different prices
As analyzed by Deustche Welle, in Germany some basic food products are nominally more expensive, but the scale of this price increase is moderated by higher incomes. In Poland, food prices have been rising faster than wages in recent years, which means that even small increases are felt more strongly by consumers.
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Comparison of Christmas shopping in Poland and Germany Deustche Welle started with basic products that find their way into the basket of almost every home. Eggs, bread, butter, meat and cheese are the goods where consumers notice price changes most quickly.
Easter basket in Poland and Germany. Here is the price difference
According to Deustche Welle, In Poland, a pack of ten eggs before Christmas costs on average PLN 9 to PLN 11. In Germany, the same product usually costs from EUR 3.20 to EUR 3.80, i.e. approximately PLN 14-16.50. The nominal difference is therefore clear, although in both countries eggs are more expensive products today than a few years ago.
Deustche Welle notices an even greater contrast with bread. In Poland, a loaf of wheat or mixed bread usually costs from PLN 4.5 to PLN 6. In Germany, prices are several times higher – for bread of a similar weight you have to pay from 3 to 4 euros, or PLN 13-17. This is one of the categories where price differences between markets remain the most visible.
However, butter, a symbol of the Christmas increases in recent years, already shows how close prices in Poland have become to those in the West. A 200 gram cube usually costs PLN 7-9 in Poland. In Germany, prices range between 2.30 and 2.80 euros, or about PLN 10-12. The difference is relatively small, especially when promotions are involved, DW points out.
Meat remains significantly more expensive in Germany, notes Deutsche Welle. A kilogram of pork loin or pork neck in Poland costs on average from PLN 18 to PLN 22, while a German consumer pays for a similar product from EUR 7 to EUR 9, i.e. PLN 30-39. In turn, yellow cheeses are an example of a category in which prices are almost equal. In Poland, a kilogram of cheese costs approximately PLN 28-35, and in Germany it costs 8-10 euros, i.e. PLN 35-43.
The differences do not disappear when it comes to sweets. A 100-gram chocolate bar usually costs PLN 4-6 in Poland, while in Germany it costs EUR 1.50-2, i.e. PLN 6.5-9. This shows that even mass products are no longer significantly cheaper in Poland.
When you combine these products into one basic Christmas basket – including 20 eggs, two loaves of bread, three sticks of butter, two kilos of meat, a kilo of cheese and a few bars of chocolate – the differences in the bill become quantifiable. In Poland, such a set today costs approximately PLN 135 to PLN 155. In Germany, similar purchases cost 60-67 euros, or approximately PLN 260-290.sums up its Deutsche Welle Christmas basket
At first glance, the German bill is almost twice as high. The problem is that nominal prices don't tell the whole story. In relation to income, Christmas shopping in Germany usually takes up 2-3%. monthly net salary. In Poland, especially in lower-income households, the same basket can constitute as much as 7-9 percent. monthly salary.
Food in Poland: cheaper only in appearance
Although Poland is still considered a cheaper country, comparisons show that price differences are not as large as a few years ago. Some products – especially those processed or imported – have approached the prices recorded in Germany, writes Deustche Welle.
For Polish households, the problem is not only the price level itself, but also their variability. Promotions have become a key element of the purchasing strategy, and more and more consumers plan their purchases in advance, comparing offers of various chains.
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Germany: more stable, but without the feeling of cheapness
In Germany, consumers also do not talk about cheap holidays. High energy, labor and transportation costs continue to impact store prices. At the same time, the market is more stable and the increases – although severe – are spread over time, writes Deutsche Welle.
The strong position of discount stores, which compete aggressively on price, also plays an important role. This gives the German consumer greater spending predictability, even if the final bill remains high.
What determines price differences?
Deustche Welle points to several key factors:
- labor and energy costs,
- market scale and negotiating power of retail chains,
- indirect taxes and regulations,
- exchange rate and share of imports.
In Poland, an additional challenge is the market's sensitivity to fiscal and regulatory changes, which often translates into sudden price corrections, as the portal writes.
