Biznes Fakty
Inflation in Poland. Is it more expensive in Poland than in Germany? Analysis
In Poland, the cost of Easter confections, eggs, and mayonnaise surpasses that in Germany. Conversely, certain fruits and vegetables, sugar, and cheeses are more affordable, as highlighted by a price comparison between stores in Warsaw and Bonn conducted by „Deutsche Welle”.
„Deutsche Welle” examined the prices of food items in Polish and German retail outlets. The shopping took place in Warsaw and Bonn on Tuesday, April 15, selecting products of the same brand or the least expensive available in the store.
Shopping Basket in Germany and Poland
The following items were compared in terms of pricing: Kaiser roll, whole grain toast, milk, mineral water, sunflower oil, butter, sugar, flour, eggs, turkey sausage, Gouda cheese, spaghetti, apple, banana, cucumber, tomato, iceberg lettuce, radish, mayonnaise, grainy cottage cheese, chocolate hare, and chocolate eggs.
The total for shopping in Poland was PLN 120.45, while in Germany, it amounted to EUR 28.14. After accounting for the bottle deposit (EUR 0.25) and using the euro exchange rate from April 15 (PLN 4.29), the final total was PLN 119.64.
Which Items Are Pricier and Which Are Cheaper?
In Poland, apples are less expensive (PLN 4.99, nearly PLN 13 per kilogram), as are tomatoes (PLN 7.99 per kilogram in Poland compared to over PLN 11 per kilogram in Germany).
Additionally, in Warsaw, sugar (PLN 2.99, about PLN 1 cheaper than in Germany), spaghetti (PLN 2.45 in Poland versus PLN 3.39 in Germany), and cheese are also found at lower prices: grainy cottage cheese (PLN 2.29 in Poland and PLN 4.25 in Germany), and Gouda cheese (PLN 4.99 in Poland compared to PLN 5.53 in Germany).
Moreover, coffee is also cheaper in Poland (roughly PLN 19, while in Germany it costs around PLN 26), as is ground beef (PLN 35 per kilogram in Poland and approximately PLN 54 per kilogram in Germany).
Milk is priced at PLN 4.39 in Poland and PLN 4.69 in Germany. Butter is available for PLN 7.79 per 200 g in Warsaw, while in Bonn, it costs PLN 8.54 for 250 grams.
Conversely, in Germany, sunflower oil, eggs, and mayonnaise are more affordable, with these products costing PLN 1.60, PLN 1.24, and PLN 2.75 less, respectively.
Higher Prices for Bananas, Lower Prices for Buns
In Warsaw, bananas are more expensive by PLN 1.50 per kilogram, iceberg lettuce by PLN 1.23, and cucumbers by nearly 40 groszy.
Additionally, Easter treats are costlier in Poland, with a chocolate bunny priced over 4 PLN and a pack of chocolate eggs exceeding 1 PLN.
Prices for bread were also analyzed: a Kaiser roll is PLN 0.82 in Germany and PLN 0.35 in Poland; wholemeal toast purchased in Warsaw is PLN 3.19, while in Bonn, it costs PLN 3.39. Mineral water, flour, and radishes have similar pricing, and turkey sausage is 40 groszy cheaper in Poland.
Since January, the minimum hourly wage in Poland for employment contracts is PLN 30.50 gross, whereas in Germany, it stands at EUR 12.82, which translates to nearly PLN 55.
As of March, the inflation rate was 2.2 percent in Germany and 4.9 percent in Poland.
