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COST OF LIVING

A record number of Norwegians believe food prices in the country are too high

As many as 70 percent of Norwegians believe that food prices have become too high, according to a survey carried out by InFact on behalf of the newspaper Nationen.

Published: 31 December 2022 12:34 CET
Groceries
Since January 2022, there has been a sharp increase in food prices across Europe. Photo by Markus Spiske / Unsplash

That is an increase of 30 percentage points compared to when Nationen did a similar survey in 2019. Only 20 percent of Norwegian respondents said that the prices are about right.

Since January 2022, there has been a sharp increase in food prices across Europe, mainly as a result of the war in Ukraine, news bureau NTB reports.

Spike in cross-border trade

Norwegian Ole Jørgen Lind, store manager at Maximat Nordby, believes cross-border trade is now more extensive than before the coronavirus pandemic.

“We noticed a big change of pace in July after the grocery chains raised their prices,” he told the newspaper.

He believes the price difference between Norway and Sweden is still a thing.

“We expect it to be 45 percent. Simply put, you’ll pay half the price in Sweden,” Lind explained.

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ENERGY

Why consumers in Norway will see their energy bills increase

Consumers in Norway are charged for being connected to the grid. Energy customers in Norway can expect to see this cost increase significantly in the coming years.

Published: 12 September 2024 10:58 CEST
Why consumers in Norway will see their energy bills increase

The average household in Norway can expect grid fees to increase by between 20-30 percent, Norwegian newspaper VG reports.

Costs will be increased as energy firms will invest in improving energy infrastructure. 

“It is expensive to build networks, and there is likely to be a significant increase in the network fees in the future,” Kjetil Lund, a director at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), told VG.

The NVE has published a projection on grid fees between 2024 and 2030.

Norwegian newswire NTB has estimated that households could see an annual increase of 1,700 kroner in grid rent.

The increases will vary across the country and will depend on the provider. Those in Trøndelag are expected to see the most significant increases. There, grid fees will increase in price by around 30 percent.

Residents in eastern Norway can expect an increaser of 25 percent, while northern Norway will get a slightly lower increase just below the 25 percent mark. Those in southern Norway and the west will receive the smallest increases or just under 20 percent.

The increases don’t take into account additional costs like VAT.

“It will probably vary a little. Higher bills are no fun, but the reality is that it costs money to expand the network and upgrade what we already have. There is a need to build more networks to facilitate business, climate change and electrification. But it’s not free,” Lund said of the increased charges.

In the coming years, energy firms are set to invest 170 billion kroner in upgrading Norway’s energy infrastructure.

Elvia, Norway’s largest provider, has already announced two grid rent increases, a 14 percent increase in October and a second increase in the winter.

The current energy subsidy scheme implemented by the government where the state covers 90 per cent of the electricity price above 73 øre per kWh – or 91.25 øre including VAT will not apply to the increased grid fees.

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