Eurostat survey compared price levels for 500 hundred comparable food, beverages and tobacco in 37 European countries. The country groups included in the analysis are the 27 European Union (EU) Member States, 3 EFTA countries (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland), acceding country Croatia, 4 candidate countries (the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey), and 2 potential candidate countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina).
According to the calculations, Norway is the most expensive country for food, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages and tobacco within the group of 37 participating countries. With these prices, Norwegians pay 89% more than an average European for food and non-alcoholic drinks. Also, the data reveal that the price of a basket of groceries in Macedonia, which has the lowest food prices in Europe, is about three times cheaper than a comparable basket in Norway.
Amongst all 37 countries Switzerland shows the highest price levels for meat and fish, while Norway has the highest price level for dairy products and for bread and cereals. Within the EU Denmark is the most expensive country for meat (together with Austria), fish, bread and cereals, whilst Cyprus is the most expensive for milk, cheese and eggs.
