First estimates from Eurostat reveal that prices of agricultural products in the EU experienced a slight hike in 2023, with potatoes seeing a significant price surge, particularly in Germany, Slovakia and Croatia.
According to Eurostat, EU agricultural products inflated by two percent last year, a phenomenon attributed to a drought that decreased production volumes for several crops, including potatoes. In 2022, potato prices had skyrocketed by 26 percent. Conversely, in Croatia, the overall prices of agricultural products fell by 1.8 percent, a significant drop compared to a 22.2 percent increase in 2022.
Among basic food products, Eurostat highlighted potatoes, whose prices inflated by an average of 23 percent last year. This price surge was observed in 24 EU member states, with Germany, Slovakia, and Croatia experiencing significant increases of 49 percent, 48 percent, and 44 percent respectively. Conversely, potato prices dropped in Belgium, Austria, and Cyprus.
In Croatia, egg prices rose twice as much as the EU average, inflating by 41 percent. Pork prices also increased by just over 31 percent. On an EU level, olive oil prices notably inflated by 54 percent year-on-year.
Cereal prices, however, decreased by 26 percent on the EU level, with Croatia recording an even greater drop of almost 42 percent.
Source: thedubrovniktimes.com