Ice cream rip-off: Up to 78 percent more expensive in Austria than in Germany

The difference is particularly drastic with Magnum Mini: In Vienna, a pack of six costs 7.99 euros, but in Munich it only costs 4.49 euros. This corresponds to a surcharge of 78 percent. Calippo also shows a massive price difference of 70 percent, while Viennetta has a surcharge of 67 percent. In total, nine out of 20 products examined in Austria are more than 50 percent more expensive than in Germany.

“The ice cream check shows once again: Consumers in Austria are systematically asked to pay. It’s not about a few cents difference, but about price increases of up to 78 percent for the same products, from the same companies,” criticizes Miriam Maurer from foodwatch Austria. “This Austria surcharge is the result of an unfair system. This must finally end.”

From foodwatch’s perspective, the cause lies not with individual supermarkets, but with a fundamental problem in the European food market: the so-called territorial delivery restrictions. Manufacturers such as Unilever – the parent company behind Eskimo in Austria and Langnese in Germany – or Nestlé can prevent Austrian retailers from simply purchasing products where they are cheaper, such as in Germany.

The result: the Austrian food trade has to buy at higher Austrian prices. These higher purchase prices are passed on to consumers. The Austrian surcharge does not only arise at the cash register – it is already built into the system.

“Territorial delivery restrictions cement artificial price limits in the middle of Europe. While corporations benefit from the EU internal market, consumers in Austria are cut off from cheaper purchases. This is unfair, non-transparent and expensive,” explains Miriam Maurer.