According to data agency Hiiper, the relentless upward trajectory of supermarket prices has finally ceased, offering a temporary respite for consumers. Recent analyses reveal that many

products now cost less at the checkout than they did six months ago. However, it remains unlikely that prices will revert to pre-inflation levels. Hiiper Director Joep Smeets emphasized that shoppers continue to spend over 11 percent more on groceries compared to the previous year, despite these positive developments, as reported by NOS.

The broadcaster enlisted Hiiper to scrutinize the prices of everyday groceries multiple times throughout the year.

Two months ago, products such as cucumbers, strawberries, aubergines, and melons saw reductions in price compared to the previous year. This trend of decreasing prices for fresh produce has persisted. On average, cucumbers are now priced 10 percent lower than they were a year ago and a remarkable 34 percent lower than their peak in March. Similarly, tomatoes, broccoli, and bananas have all become significantly cheaper than their March prices, although they remain approximately 6 percent more expensive than a year ago.

In another notable change, dairy, cheese, and eggs now cost 3 percent less than they did in March.

On the contrary, the prices of certain products continue to rise. Frozen items, for instance, have surged in price, with a 16 percent increase compared to a year ago.

Furthermore, cookies and chocolate have experienced consistent price hikes, likely attributable to elevated cocoa and sugar costs. Smeets pointed out that the prices of these items have been steadily increasing each month since the beginning of last year, with no sign of reaching a peak.

Some supermarket chains, including Jumbo and Albert Heijn, have acknowledged the need to curtail substantial price hikes and have committed to reducing prices wherever feasible. Photo by G.Lanting, Wikimedia commons.