Exploding Food Prices: How Supermarket Giants Rip Us Off at the Checkout
The ZDF has struck a chord with its gripping documentary "Rewe, Edeka and Co. – Who Profits from Our Food?" The focus is clearly on prices, which seem to rise daily. Emotions are running high on social media. Comments like "Open fraud against humanity," "Here you are being ripped off," or "This is pure rip-off" are making the rounds and show how much the situation frustrates consumers. It is a feeling shared by many: Your money seems to be worth less and less when it comes to daily shopping.
The Giants Under the Microscope: Who Really Controls the Market?
At the center of the TV investigation are the four big names you surely see every day: Edeka, Rewe, Aldi (Hofer), and Lidl. These giants together control an incredible 80 to 85 percent of the entire German food market. Edeka and Rewe alone share almost half of the pie. Imagine the power this concentration gives the corporations! Experts and even farmers report how this market power influences not only the purchase prices for producers but also the selling prices for us consumers.
Your Receipt Doesn't Lie: The Shocking Truth About Price Increases
Do you feel like all supermarkets are raising their prices at the same time? An analysis of an incredible 30,000 receipts as part of the documentary provides a disturbing answer: Yes, that's true! When one chain adjusts the price of a product – whether up or down – competitors usually follow suit within a few days. This synchronized behavior leaves many consumers stunned. Particularly bitter: The private labels, which were once considered a cheap alternative, have experienced the most drastic price increases in recent years. The consumer center confirms it: Food prices are currently about 30 percent higher than they were three years ago!
Farmers Struggle to Survive: The Price Pressure on the Field
While we are annoyed by higher prices, farmers are facing an even more dramatic development. Their share of a product's revenue has literally plummeted over the past decades: from over 50 percent in the 1960s to less than 22 percent today! This means that farmers are receiving less and less for their hard work, while their costs for energy, fertilizers, and feed are skyrocketing. They fight daily for their existence, while their negotiating position against powerful trading corporations becomes increasingly weaker. A vicious cycle that ultimately affects us all.
What You Can Do: Clever Tricks in the Price Jungle!
The documentary also shows how supermarkets and discounters vie for our attention with weekly offers. This increases the price pressure – and at the same time offers you an opportunity. A data analyst strongly advises regular price comparisons. Because especially in supermarkets, there are more frequent special promotions than in discounters. So it's worth checking the brochures or using price comparison apps to hunt for the best bargains.
In the end, a clear message remains: We need more transparency, fair compensation for all parties involved in the food chain, and stronger competition controls. It's about ensuring that daily shopping does not become a luxury and that everyone has access to affordable food.
The documentary is currently still available here on ZDF.de!
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.