Skyrocketing Cost of Living: Food Prices Soar by 13 Euro Compared to 2024
In the latest shopping update, consumers are facing increased costs for essential products. According to data from DECO, the basket of essential products now stands at 239.95 euros.
One of the most significant price increases this week was seen in beef for roasting, which has experienced a staggering 97% rise since January 2022. This marks the biggest increase among the products in the basket. Over the past three years, the historical price trend for beef (including roasting beef and beef and veal) shows a significant upward pattern, with overall increases driven by tight supplies and strong consumer demand.
Beef and veal prices rose by 10.6% in June 2025 compared to June 2024, and the USDA predicts an 8.8% increase for beef and veal prices in 2025 overall. Uncooked beef steaks specifically increased by 12.4% from June 2024 to June 2025.
Eggs have also seen a sharp rise in price, with a 27.3% increase from June 2024 to June 2025. This is among the highest year-over-year increases among food items tracked.
Canned tuna in vegetable oil increased by 5% this week, while canned tuna in olive oil saw a 4% rise. Among the vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, eggs, and onions have increased the most this week.
Compared to the same period last year, the basket of essential products is 13 euros more expensive. However, it's worth noting that the overall price of the basket decreased by 5.83 euros in the last week.
This data indicates that beef prices, including those for roasting cuts, have steadily increased over the analyzed period, with eggs showing an even sharper rise recently. The primary drivers for beef prices are supply constraints combined with robust demand, while egg prices rise due to inflationary factors affecting the food sector broadly.
Overall food prices, including beef and eggs, have risen about 17% since January 2022 as of mid-2025, reflecting inflationary pressures in the grocery sector.
[1] USDA Economic Research Service. (2025). Beef and Veal Outlook. Retrieved from https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/beef-outlook/ [2] USDA Economic Research Service. (2025). Ground Beef Outlook. Retrieved from https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/ground-beef-outlook/ [3] Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. (2025). Food Prices: Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy. Retrieved from https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CPIAUCSLF [4] DECO. (2025). Monthly Update: Essential Products Basket. Retrieved from https://www.deco.be/en/news/monthly-update-essential-products-basket
- Amidst the rise in essential product costs, individuals might want to consider strategies for personal-finance management to ensure they can afford their food-and-drink expenses, such as beef and eggs, which have experienced significant price increases.
- To save on cooking expenses, one could explore budget-friendly recipes using ingredients like canned tuna, vegetables, or other proteins that have seen more moderate price increases compared to beef and eggs.
- As a response to these lifestyle changes, food-and-drink companies might want to focus on offering a diverse range of recipes, catering to consumers seeking alternatives to expensive items like beef and eggs, to enhance their lifestyle and personal-finance options.
