Butter prices in the Czech Republic have finally begun to show signs of relief after reaching historic highs at the end of last year. December saw average prices soaring to 63 crowns per block, with some retailers charging up to 85 crowns. Now, according to price comparison site Kupi.cz, consumers are witnessing the first price decrease in months.
Data analyst Monika Kopčilová from Kupi.cz reports that regular butter prices have dropped by 1.40 crowns compared to December, while promotional prices have decreased by nearly three crowns. The average price for a non-discounted block of butter has fallen from 71.30 to 69.90 crowns in January. Promotional offers now average around 57 crowns, with the best deals dropping as low as 48 crowns.
Industry experts attribute this modest decline to several factors. Jiří Kopáček, chairman of the Czech-Moravian Dairy Association, explains that the price drop is primarily due to reduced post-holiday demand and increased milk fat content during winter months. However, agricultural analyst Petr Havel suggests that consumers may be switching to cheaper vegetable-based alternatives.
The previous year’s butter crisis stemmed from a perfect storm of challenges: a European milk fat shortage, rising milk prices, decreased summer fat content, and growing demand for high-fat cheeses in the Czech Republic. In fact, Czech cheese production rose by nearly eleven percent in the first ten months of last year – the highest increase in the European Union.
Looking ahead, while slight price decreases might continue in the coming weeks, dairy farmers warn against expecting significant reductions. With raw milk prices reaching historic highs of around 13 crowns per liter, butter prices are likely to stabilize rather than decrease substantially.