Have you already done Christmas shopping?

As Christmas is approaching, we look at the price index (2019=100) of selected food and gifts items. In the region, fish is one of the most traditional dishes served during the Christmas Eve. The average price in CEE for fish products is 40% higher compared to 2019 (that is pre-pandemic times) that we see as quite substantial increase. Baking will also require higher costs with eggs prices rising the most, close to 60% compared to 2019. Further, flour and butter are roughly 40% more expensive. As far as gifts are concerned, books are more expensive by only 20%, while price index of jewelry or chocolate is roughly 40% higher compared to 2019. That makes us conclude one should buy books as gifts for loved ones. But note that past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.