RTL Today – Food: The price of fries explodes in Belgium
With inflation and soaring energy prices, fries are much more expensive in Belgium.
Even the most popular dishes see their prices soar. According to the latest basket produced by RTL INFO and Test-Achats in Belgium, the price of french fries has risen 50% in one year.
Patties also cost more: +34%. These increases, for the moment, do not seem to affect the relationship that Belgians have with one of their favorite menu.
If you buy the frozen ones, depending on the brands and characteristics, they will cost you between 3.50 euros and 7 euros per kilo. For the slightly processed potato, it’s expensive.
But when it comes to fries, the Belgians were still not very fussy. “It’s more on the final receipt that we see the difference. On a package like that, we don’t pay special attention when we buy them, saying 6 months ago it was perhaps as much compared now”, declare the customer of a supermarket.
Despite the increases, the prices would remain affordable in the face of the pleasure they provide. “We don’t take it every day, so if it increases a little, it’s not that bad. We can’t live without fries”responds another customer.
In the center of Liège, a chip shop has been cooking beef white fries for ten years. Since her customers are not well off or students, she has managed to keep the price of a large cone below 3 euros. “It’s a bit difficult because everything has increased. The price of electricity, gas… At home, gas is 5 times more expensive”says the manager.
Fricadelles are no exception to the rule. On the price chart, they just took an extra 20 cents. Submachine guns follow suit. “I still like to pick up my fries in a chip shop, because they are better than frozen. I prefer to give a little more to local merchants, in this period which is undoubtedly more complicated for them”, entrusts a client.
To remain popular, the portion of fries must remain reasonably priced. “It’s a question of the wallet. If you have people who have 5,000 euros a month, they will be able to put 10 euros per fries, but of course I will not be able to put 10 euros in a cone of fries Beyond 5 euros, it will become difficult”believes a client.
From €3.20 or €3.50 per portion, in many chip shops, prices soar. For the owners, it is also the price of survival.