Euromonitor data includes only information from retail, not including the HoReCa segment. Also, the company took into account just packaged food.
While Croatians spend on average EUR697.7 annually on packaged food, the bottom positions of the ranking are filled by Romania, with an average of EUR300 per capita, Bulgaria, with EUR274, Bosnia-Herzegovina, with EUR263 and Georgia with EUR222.
Romania’s position in the ranking of sums spent on packaged food can be accounted for by fiscal evasion, which is high in the case of some foodstuffs, such as dairy products or meat, by food wholesale and by consumption of own production, particularly in rural areas. Also, price has a significant impact.
“As a rule, packaged goods are more expensive and the fact that Romania is one of Europe’s poorest countries is also reflected in this ranking,” says analyst Aurelian Dochia.
While expenses related to packaged food are low in Romania, major store chains are expanding further, putting pressure on small merchants.
According to Euromonitor data, packaged food expenses in Romania have followed an upward trend since 2010 and in 2015 Romanians are expected to spend around EUR330 on packaged food.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)