Grocery store price comparison – where is it cheapest?

In recent years, the purchasing power of Estonian consumers has been significantly impacted by a series of consecutive price increases. These have been driven by various factors: global inflation, rising energy and fuel prices, supply chain disruptions, and the economic effects of the war in Ukraine, which has increased uncertainty across the European economy. In addition, Estonia has seen rising labor costs and excise duties — all of which directly affect the prices of food and essential goods.

As a result, even small everyday purchases can take a noticeable toll on a household budget — making price awareness and choosing affordable shopping options more important than ever.

Where can you get the cheapest grocery basket?

For Estonian consumers, rising prices have become an everyday concern. That’s why it's increasingly important to track where groceries can be bought at the best price. Delfi Ärileht conducted a thorough price comparison, analyzing the prices of 30 everyday products across six major retail chains in Estonia.

The results were somewhat surprising — Lidl offered the cheapest shopping basket.

How was the study conducted?

The comparison included six major chains: Lidl, Prisma, Coop, Selver, Rimi, and Maxima (Barbora online store). The grocery basket was based on the cheapest available products at regular price, comparing unit prices (per kilogram or liter) to ensure fair results.

Results: which store is best at what?

• Lidl – emerged as the cheapest overall. The total cost of the basket was just over €83. Lidl stood out for offering particularly low prices on meat, fish, and eggs, although it lacked certain items in a few categories.

• Prisma – performed well in the fruits, vegetables, and dairy categories. For example, salt and sugar were especially affordable, and Saku Originaal beer was cheapest at Prisma.

• Coop – best choice for affordable Estonian Luunja cucumbers.

• Rimi – a good option for wine lovers, offering the lowest price for Sauvignon Blanc.

• Maxima / Barbora online store – tended to be on the more expensive side, particularly for dairy products.

• Selver – landed in the middle price range overall, though it had competitive pricing in specific categories.

Smart shopping pays off

This grocery price comparison clearly shows that awareness and comparison can lead to significant savings. While Lidl came out on top this time, it’s still worth watching special deals and category-specific discounts — every store has its own strengths.