Consumer Protection Minister Johannes Rauch said on Monday that there is no simple answer to the question of high food prices. Julius Moosbrugger, department head for the food trade in the Vorarlberg Chamber of Commerce, also agrees.
“The fact that positions are far apart and it’s sometimes a bit difficult to understand is perhaps also because the situation is very complex,” says Moosbrugger.
On Wednesday he was a guest on “Vorarlberg LIVE” on this topic.
Moosbrugger in an interview
In particular, Moosbrugger cannot understand the comparison of prices in the Austrian food trade with those in Germany: “We have a higher VAT rate, different structures and a different shop culture.”
The main reason for the high prices in Austria is the “multiplication of energy costs,” says Moosbrugger. “Energy is a big factor in the food trade, primarily in the area of refrigeration.”
Baked goods, for example, would already arrive at the grocery store at a higher price. And although raw material prices are already falling again, “the question always arises for us when and how quickly it will reach the end consumer”.
What to do against the high prices?
From the point of view of the Chamber of Commerce, it is actually necessary to wait and see: “I am of the opinion that you are not doing the market any good if you try to intervene too much.” Despite the few players in Austria, the competition is still strong and aggressive.
The whole show from Wednesday
The broadcast “Vorarlberg LIVE” is a cooperation between VOL.AT, VN.at, Ländle TV and VOL.AT TV and is broadcast from Monday to Friday from 5 p.m. There’s more here.
