Food prices vary significantly across European countries: Switzerland remains the most expensive country, while Moldova is the cheapest. Within the European Union, the lowest prices are found in Romania; however, the nominal low cost of goods does not always guarantee their actual affordability for the population.

Euronews Business reports on this, as cited by Dengi.ua, referring to data from Euronews.

Where in Europe Are the Most Expensive and Cheapest Foods?

According to data from the global platform Numbeo as of mid-2026, if the average European figure is set at 100 points, the food price index ranges from 57.2 in Moldova to 189.2 in Switzerland. A standard basket of 18 basic food items costs an average of 69.84 euros across the EU, while in Switzerland the price reaches 137.90 euros, and in Moldova it is only 41.10 euros.

Price differences across European regions:

  • Most expensive countries: the group of the most expensive countries includes Switzerland, Iceland (index 183.6), Norway (154.4), Luxembourg (134.9), and Denmark (128.4);
  • Largest economies: France leads among the continent’s key countries in terms of price levels (+27.5% above the EU average, with a basket cost of 87.40 euros). Spain is the only major economy where prices remain below the European average (€63). In the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, prices consistently exceed the European average;
  • The cheapest countries: within the EU, the most affordable food prices were recorded in Romania (index 66.7, cost of the basket—€45.90). On a pan-European scale, the lowest prices are found in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, particularly in North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia.

Why Prices Vary and How This Impacts Family Budgets

Low nominal prices in supermarkets do not translate into high purchasing power. On average, EU citizens spend 13.6% of total household expenditures on food and non-alcoholic beverages. However, in Romania and Bulgaria—where food is technically the cheapest—citizens spend more than 20% of their budget on food due to low net wages after taxes.

Key factors behind price differences on store shelves:

  • Fuel and logistics: a spike in diesel prices, which reached a record high of 2.24 euros per liter by the end of September 2026, drove up costs across the entire logistics chain—from fieldwork to long-haul freight transport;
  • Operating expenses: The final cost of products includes labor costs, commercial rent, taxes, and utility bills, which are disproportionately higher in affluent countries.

A clear example of this disparity: a standard 500-gram loaf of bread costs 3.18 euros in Danish supermarkets, while a similar loaf in Bulgaria costs shoppers just 1.02 euros.