In recent years, food in Lithuania has been cheaper than in Latvia or Estonia

In previous years, we have experienced both Covid-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As a result, food prices have skyrocketed. “Prices have really gone up a lot, but they’ve definitely come down now. Many products have become cheaper, businesses have learned to live in new conditions,” Gulbe explained.

Butter prices fell from 10 euros per kilogram to 7 euros. Sunflower oil has fallen in price by half. However, tea, coffee, cocoa, and olive oil have become more expensive. Recently, the responsible commission of the Seimas adopted a decision on a study of the food market of the Competition Council, during which it was confirmed that dairy products of Latvian origin are sold at higher prices than imported ones.

Also, these studies showed that the area under open ground for potatoes and vegetables is decreasing in Latvia.

“Those products that are produced for the domestic market, their volumes are decreasing, because there are also fewer of us. Products are now exported more. We began to produce more modern products, thereby harming our economy,” Gulbe pointed out.

Significant price differences were also noted in supermarkets. In our country this is much more noticeable than in our neighboring countries. Gulbe noted that the difference in prices in Latvian stores can be several times. “In Vilnius, I can go to one store and already know how much a product costs in other stores, because there are practically no price fluctuations there. Tallinn is also similar, but the shops there are slightly different. In Latvia, before the arrival of Lidl, prices in stores varied several times. I don’t think there is that much competition here. We have very few stores. For the last two years, we have been able to purchase goods cheaper in Lithuania than in Estonia and Latvia.”