Image: Daniela Köppl
The cost of living has risen sharply in the past year. A product where this development was very noticeable is butter: In a price comparison, the Chamber of Labor found that a kilogram of tea butter was sold for 5.98 euros in September 2021. In December 2022, the price was 10.36 euros.
However, reaching for butter in Austrian supermarkets should soon become cheaper. As Austria’s largest dairy group, Berglandmilch, based in Wels, announced yesterday in a broadcast, the Schärdinger brand butter prices will be reduced by more than six percent for all Austrian trading partners. It can be assumed that price reductions would also lead to reduced end consumer prices for butter.
According to Berglandmilch General Manager Josef Braunshofer, it is difficult to quantify how this step will actually affect the customer’s shopping list: “We have more than 40 butter products that differ in composition, weight and packaging.” The two largest retail chains, Spar and Rewe (Billa, Billa Plus, Penny), referred to negotiations. Rewe wants to pass on the prices “in full”. Spar also wants to follow suit and pointed out that the prices have already been reduced recently.
The prices for butter have also risen so much because both the raw material and the energy input are very high: According to Braunshofer, 20 liters of milk are required to produce one kilogram of butter. Added to this are the high gas costs: A lot of energy is needed for pasteurization and also for cleaning processes.
The reason for the falling butter prices is the easing of individual cost items: According to Braunshofer, gas and packaging prices as well as the costs of individual raw material components, such as raw milk, have recently fallen.
Yoghurt is no longer more expensive
There have also been significant price increases for milk, cheese, yoghurt and other dairy products over the past twelve months. Braunshofer did not want to specify whether there would also be price reductions in these segments in the near future: “At least the prices will not rise in the near future.” (prel)
Video: “Konkret” asks WIFO and the trade association whether prices on the food market will ease in the near future.
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