Food Inflation in Europe: Chocolate, Beef, and Eggs Lead 2025 Price Surges

Food inflation across the EU averaged 2.8% in 2025, but key items saw double-digit increases, with chocolate up 17.8%, frozen fruit 13%, and beef and veal 10%, according to Eurostat. Turkey recorded the highest national food inflation at 32.8%, while Switzerland was the only country with a decline (−1.1%). Eastern and Southeastern Europe saw the steepest regional increases, led by Romania (6.7%). Among major EU economies, Italy had the highest food inflation at 2.5%, while France’s was just 0.7%. Olive oil prices dropped sharply by 22.9%, and sugar fell 11%. National disparities were stark: chocolate prices surged over 30% in Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia, while beef and veal rose more than 20% in the Netherlands, Croatia, and Latvia. Egg prices jumped over 20% in five countries, including Kosovo (30%) and Czechia (29%).