More and more Hungarians are shopping in Slovakia: Is it really worth it?
Recently, several supermarkets have announced price cuts in Hungary, yet Hungarian shoppers are still feeling the impact of high inflation. Given the high prices, many people living near the border may decide to go shopping in the neighbouring countries in the hope of lower prices.
The Hungarian portal HelloVidék looked into whether it paid back for Hungarians to shop in neighbouring Slovakia.
Whether it is worth it depends on the current HUF/EUR exchange rate
More and more Hungarians see the opportunity to save money by doing their weekly shopping in neighbouring Austria or Romania. According to HelloVidék, a number of products are also cheaper in Slovak shops than in Hungary. However, the portal points out that those who want to save money by shopping in the neighbouring country will probably be disappointed.
- Read also: Local shop lures Hungarians to Romania
About 10 years ago, and also when the price freeze was introduced, it was usual for Slovaks to cross the border and buy certain foodstuffs in Hungary at a lower price. But the situation has now completely changed. Nowadays, it is mostly the HUF/EUR exchange rate that determines where it is more cost-effective to shop. HelloVidék asked a Hungarian man living near the Hungarian-Slovakian border how he sees the situation. According to him, some foodstuffs are definitely worth buying in Slovakia. One such food is bread. While the average price of one kilo of bread in Hungary is around HUF 1,000 (approx. EUR 2.51), in Slovakian shops you can find it for around EUR 1.55 (around HUF 600). The interviewee added that he also bought cheese and pasta in Slovakia, but some hygiene products, such as deodorant or shower gel, are cheaper there than in Hungary. However, he says it was only worth shopping in Slovakia if you did your weekly shopping.
How much exactly can one save?
HelloVidék wrote a shopping list containing basic groceries and then compared the online prices of Tesco in Slovakia and Hungary.
As for fruit and vegetables, they found that almost everything is slightly cheaper in Slovakia than in Hungary. Iceberg lettuce in the Hungarian supermarket is equivalent to EUR 2.00/kg, compared to EUR 1.89 in Slovakia. Tesco Tomatoes are EUR 5.00/kg in Hungary, compared to EUR 3.99/kg in Slovakia. In the Hungarian Tesco, bananas are sold at EUR 1.75/kg, while in the Slovak supermarket, they are EUR 1.69/kg. Prices for other fruit and vegetables vary similarly, with one exception. Broccoli is cheaper in the Hungarian Tesco. In Hungary, 500 g of broccoli costs EUR 2.00, while it costs EUR 2.29 in Slovakia.
There are similar price differences for bakery products, too. There are similar price differences for bakery products. For example, one piece of bread roll is EUR 0.19 in Hungary, while it costs EUR 0.14 in Slovakia.
One thing that HelloVidék suggests is much cheaper to buy from the food section is spaghetti. A 500-gram Hearty Food Co. spaghetti dry pasta at Tesco in Hungary is EUR 1.75, while at Tesco in Slovakia, it is EUR 0.79.
Moreover, it is also worth buying pantyliners and shower gel in Slovakia. The price of Always pantyliners is EUR 3.87 (EUR 0.08/piece) in Hungarian shops. In Slovakia, the same brand of pantyliners costs EUR 3.89 (EUR 0.07/piece). NIVEA cream shower gel (500 ml) costs EUR 5.47 in Hungary and EUR 4.49 in Slovakia.
Read alsoBeer has become brutally expensive in Hungary
Source: hellovidek.hu
This “Forum” numerous times over past 12 months – I have used, to express – that yes, we ALL know in Hungary, as it STILL does, and its not for the foreseeable FUTURE – going away – the effects, the justified REASONS of Inflation.
We FACTUALLY know – what continues to come out of this Orban Government, of the present rate of Inflation – is “Veiled” and not FACT.
Greed, Selfishness and Exploitation – in Hungary, imposed against ALL in Hungarians – from “all stations in life” – remains RAMPANT.
Excuse my self indulgence, when we shop, we don’t need to watch our forints.
Lehal Market, this week, to (2) two store holders – asked price of particular product – and said SORRY no price LOADED.
Supermarkets – the common day to day supermarkets we ALL possible use, there is still EXPLOITATION occurring within there Pricing.
We have time – and we ENJOY it to shop around and the EXPLOITATION that is RAMPANT – running under the “veiled” reason of Inflation – WRONG.
I thought that everyone, everywhere has been baking their own bread and dinner rolls since the beginning of Covid. Even men & teens have learned to bake, knit, crochet in the last 3 years. People are making sourdough starter! just like their grandmothers did for the best tasting breads…that cost $10 a loaf in a store here in Nova Scotia. Same w. my no gluten loaf. Not just dairy became expensive. My Liter coffee cream went from just over $4 before Covid to just over $9 now. So even with the 1 espresso I allow myself each day, it hurts the monthly food budget. It is everywhere. Another thing that people have learned to do here, grow herbs for on pasta in flowerpots, cherry tomatoes & climbing beans on balconies. Life is about change, overcoming & adjusting. If liquor stores and beer gardens etc are still open, there is little to legitimately complain about since it is always about choice.
I’ve also found there is more choice in the average Slovak supermarket – never mind the Austrian ones…
There are also major discrepancies in VAT treatment of foods between the countries. Depending on the mismatch, the difference could be up to 17 percent from VAT impact alone.
Don’t forget we have the Europe’s highest VAT rate so we can subsidize Europe’s lowest corporate rate https://www.oecd.org/tax/revenue-statistics-hungary.pdf
It all depends on what you buy, make yourself what the costs for living are.
I make my own washing detergent (1 piece of soap >300 huf), bake my own brea, cake, cookies (>300 huf), I knit, chrochet, make yoghurt, go to the market, buy if reduced in price. Things really missed or special I buy online abroad. Even with the costs of delivery these special items are cheaper.