Swedish beef prices climb as grill season fuels demand

Sweden is seeing a rise in beef prices during the summer grill season. A shortage of slaughter animals combined with strong consumer demand has pushed the price of calf meat up 1.7 % and other beef up 1.1 % in July, according to Ulf Mazur, chief executive of Matpriskollen. While overall food prices in grocery stores fell 0.2 % in the same month, beef remains the only category among 21 that stayed higher despite a recent VAT cut. Mazur attributes the animal shortage to low breeding numbers over the past six to seven years and notes that a previous year’s high milk prices discouraged slaughter. He expects the price increase to ease later as consumers turn to imported meat and domestic supply improves, though the trend may continue in the short term.