Inflation was over 7% in Germany last month, against 4.5% in France.
Have French cross-border commuters used to shopping across the Rhine seen a price increase?
20 Minutes
has priced a trolley in Kehl, a German city neighboring Strasbourg, and another in the same discounter in the European capital to compare the prices of several necessities.
One token in the cart, and off you go.
Here we are in Kehl, Germany, in a hard-discount brand well known to consumers.
In this town adjoining Strasbourg, it is common to hear French spoken.
And for good reason, cross-border commuters come daily to do their shopping on this side of the Rhine.
Despite the inflation that rages in Germany, with an increase of more than 7% in March (against + 4.5% in France)?
Like every week, Marine crosses the bridge of Europe which separates Strasbourg and Kehl to do her shopping in this store.
Without noticing any noticeable change when checking out: “I didn't necessarily feel any.
Maybe on fruits and vegetables?
In any case, I think I save at least between 10 and 15 euros over the week compared to shopping in France.
»
Prices “always more affordable than in France”
Same observation for Misha and his father Philippe.
"The increase is slight on certain products, but the prices generally remain more affordable than in France", launch the two Strasbourg residents.
For her part, Florence, a Strasbourg woman who crosses the Rhine once a month for her purchases, however notes “higher increases than with us on certain products, such as sunflower oil or coffee”.
Finally, it is the Germans who notice the difference the most.
Like Jürgen, a resident of Kehl: “The increase is noticeable everywhere, not just here.
For oil, it's really extreme, because we went from 1.99 to 4.99 euros.
Is it due to the war in Ukraine or to the banks?
I do not know… "
Fiona Härtel, in charge of economic promotion for the city of Kehl, suggests a few ideas: "It obviously has to do with the war in Ukraine, but the phenomenon of shortage of certain foodstuffs has already been observed in Germany during the crisis of the Covid.
For oil, for example, people buy too much all at once and stockpile.
It has more to do with people's fear of what might happen in the future.
»
For certain foodstuffs, advantage to France
For the trouble, "20 Minutes" wanted to compare to see if it is still advantageous to shop in Germany, filling a trolley with basic necessities (toothpaste, rice, pasta, eggs, sugar, etc. ).
Result ?
In two stores of the same brand, that of Kehl and the other in the district of Koenigshoffen in Strasbourg, the basket remains cheaper in Germany (27.97 euros against 32.65 euros in France).
In detail it looks like this:
Coffee: 3.67 euros in France, 4.59 euros in Germany
Eggs: 2.79 euros in France against 3.29 euros in Germany
Toothpaste: 1.19 euros in France against 2.95 euros in Germany
Basmati rice: 1.95 euros in France compared to 1.99 euros in Germany
Pasta: 0.99 euro in France against 0.79 euro in Germany
Emmental: 3.27 euros in France against 1.59 euros in Germany
Nutella: 4.40 euros in France against 3.99 euros in Germany
Tomatoes: 3.49 euros in France against 2.19 euros in Germany
Sugar: 0.79 euro in France and Germany
Detergent: 3.92 euros in France against 2.35 euros in Germany
Toilet paper: 6.19 euros in France against 3.45 euros in Germany
In Kehl, products such as toilet paper or flour are even out of stock.
Morality: it is always good to shop in Germany, despite some strong coffee prices.
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»… The prices at the pump on the other side of the border no longer attract
Great East
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Germany
Inflation
Strasbourg
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