Analytics, Baltic, Financial Services, Foodstuff, Markets and Companies

The cost of the recommended food basket for a four-member family in shopping centres of Baltic capitals was according to data collected in February the highest in Latvia (EUR 332). In Estonia it was EUR 318 and in Lithuania EUR 289. In a year, the spending of a family consisting of two adults and two minors grew by nearly EUR 9 in Lithuania, EUR 13 in Latvia and EUR 13.2 in Estonia.

"Prices have increased, yet the changes are not considerable. The example of Latvia, which has introduced the euro at the beginning of the year, shows that fears for dramatic increase in food prices are unfounded, prices in this country do not differ much from those in neighbouring countries," said Odeta Bloziene, Head of Institute of Private Finances in Lithuania.

A family that earns an average wage of the country's capital spends 27% of income on food in Riga, 24% in Vilnius and nearly 18% in Tallinn.

While the average income of families grew in all three Baltic States, in Estonia by 6.5%, in Latvia by 7.7% and in Lithuania by 4.6%, the spending of the families on food basket has decreased marginally.