IP-labelled products suddenly cost much more at Migros and Coop: What’s behind the sugar shock in Switzerland?

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Attention those with a sweet tooth: Now there’s something delicious for consumers. Sugar prices are increasing significantly. At Coop, the price of 1 kilogram of IP Suisse fine crystal sugar is now 40 centimeters more; 1.80 francs instead of the previous 1.40 francs. This corresponds to an increase of 29 percent, the major Basel-based distributor confirmed in response to Blick’s question.

Announcing the price increase, a Coop spokesperson said: “Globally, the price of beet sugar and cane sugar has increased significantly in recent months.” The main reasons for this include rising energy prices and below-average harvests. Therefore, the retailer had to pass on the higher costs to customers.

In addition to pure sugar, other products may also suffer from the increasing sugar beet price. “Price adjustments generally cannot be ruled out for all products where sugar is sometimes a cost driver,” Coop continues. Migros also confirms this. He shows meringues as an example.

The price of a kilo of fine crystal sugar from IP-Suisse in the orange giant is now 1.80 francs. “Like everyone else, Migros is affected by high sugar prices,” the retailer said. However, it is necessary to closely monitor the situation in the market: “As it takes off, we will re-examine the situation and make price reductions accordingly.”

In discount Lidl, icing sugar has become more expensive: the price increased from 1.39 francs to 1.55 francs. “Due to increasing production costs, our current range of Swiss sugar is affected by an average price change of over 10 percent,” a spokesperson told Blick. However, they want to continue to rely on Swiss raw materials.

High prices in the world market

The Swiss Sugar Beet Growers Association and sugar producer Schweizer Zucker negotiated sugar beet prices last year. Raphael Wild, spokesman for Zucker Switzerland, said upon request: “We have increased the sugar beet target prices for 2024 to ensure that it remains attractive for Swiss farmers to grow sugar beets.”

According to Wild, the Swiss sugar price largely depends on the global market. You are currently paying the highest prices out there. Geopolitical tensions and rising energy and transportation costs are responsible for this. “The harvest last fall was also difficult,” Wild continued. The weather conditions were bad; It rained almost all October. Additionally, the sugar content in beets was lower than normal.

No increase at Aldi

Spar also increased the price of one kilogram of fine crystalline sugar by 5 centimeters to 1.40 francs due to increased supply prices. But this is sugar from Germany.

Aldi, on the other hand, has not made any price adjustments on sugary products recently. The discounter sells sugar from Switzerland and abroad, but not sugar from IP-Suisse.

Source :Blick