Food prices in Europe - Which countries are the most expensive?
Food is one of the largest expenses for families in Europe, accounting for an average of around 11.9% of expenses across the European Union, while in countries like Romania this figure reaches up to 20%.
Food prices vary significantly from one country to another on the old continent. Eurostat's food price index provides a useful basis for comparison. If the average EU food basket is set at 100 euros, the index shows how much the same basket would cost in each country.
According to Eurostat, in 2024, North Macedonia was the cheapest country for food among 36 European countries. A standard food basket cost 73 euros, 27% less than the EU average. Switzerland is the most expensive country, with food prices 61.1% above the EU average. The same basket costs 161.1 euros. North Macedonia is a candidate country for EU membership, but with active trade agreements with the EU. Switzerland is also not part of the European Economic Area, but relies on a network of bilateral agreements with the bloc.
Within the European Union, Romania (74.6 euros) has the lowest food prices, while Luxembourg (125.7 euros) has the highest. Food is 25.4% cheaper in Romania and 25.7% more expensive in Luxembourg compared to the EU average.
After Switzerland, two other European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries complete the three most expensive countries in Europe: Iceland (146.3 euros) and Norway (130.6 euros).
Food prices are also at least 10% higher than the EU average in Denmark (119.3 euros), Ireland (111.9 euros), France (111.5 euros), Austria (110.9 euros) and Malta (110.9 euros).
Southeastern Europe and the Western Balkans generally show the lowest food prices. In addition to North Macedonia and Romania, Turkey (75.7 euros), Bosnia and Herzegovina (82.5 euros), Montenegro (82.6 euros) and Bulgaria (87.1 euros) are significantly below the EU average. Serbia (95.7 euros) and Albania (98.7 euros) also have prices slightly lower than the European average.
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