Swedish consumers are protesting skyrocketing food prices by boycotting the country’s largest supermarkets, as the cost of feeding a family rises dramatically. The campaign, sparked by a surge in food prices, has gained traction across social media, drawing attention to the financial strain faced by households.
Since January 2022, the annual cost of feeding a family in Sweden has increased by as much as 30,000 kronor (£2,290). The price of everyday items, including coffee, chocolate, and cooking fat, has seen sharp rises. A packet of coffee, for example, is set to reach the symbolic price of 100 kronor (£7.64), marking a more than 25% increase since last year.
In response, thousands of people across Sweden joined a seven-day boycott of major supermarket chains such as Lidl, Hemköp, Ica, Coop, and Willys. This initiative, dubbed “Bojkotta vecka 12” (Boycott Week 12), took place during the 12th week of the year and has sparked widespread discussion, fueled by viral posts on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Protesters argue that food prices are being driven up by an “oligopoly” of large supermarket chains and big producers prioritizing profits over consumer needs. They also point to a lack of competition within the market. Meanwhile, the supermarkets have cited various global factors—including geopolitical tensions, climate change, and rising commodity prices—as reasons behind the price hikes.
Sweden is not the only country witnessing such protests. Similar boycotts have emerged across Europe, with shoppers in Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia organizing protests in response to rising food costs.
Filippa Lind, a key figure in Sweden’s boycott movement, emphasized the need for government intervention. She criticized the government for not doing enough to address the rising prices and called for the dismantling of the supermarket oligopoly. “Politicians need to step in and break apart this oligopoly that is causing high prices because of lack of competition,” said Lind, a student from Malmö.
The boycott has garnered mixed reactions. Some, like Sandra Gustavsson from Gothenburg, have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of a short-term boycott. Gustavsson, who works as head of operations, believes that a more long-term shift in shopping habits—such as buying locally through systems like “reko-rings” (local food buying groups)—might offer a better solution.
The Swedish government has acknowledged the continued rise in food prices. Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson noted that inflation had decreased since the government took office in 2022, falling from around 10% to 1.3% in February 2025. However, she conceded that food prices remain high and expressed a commitment to addressing the issue.
Rural Affairs Minister Peter Kullgren highlighted that international factors, including crop failures and increased commodity prices, have significantly contributed to the rise in food prices. He agreed that better competition in the food sector was needed and promised that the government would continue to prioritize efforts to stabilize prices.
In response to the boycott, supermarket chains have acknowledged the public’s concerns. Coop reported a slight decline in customer numbers last week compared to the same time last year, though the company could not definitively attribute this to the boycott. Ica, Sweden’s largest retailer, observed varying impacts across its stores, including increased food waste.
Industry representatives have pointed to several factors driving the price increases, particularly in the dairy, coffee, and chocolate sectors. According to Jenny Pedersén, a spokesperson for Hemköp, the rising costs of production, processing, and transportation, along with challenges in the agricultural sector, are significant contributors.
While some supermarket chains, including Willys and Lidl, expressed understanding of consumers’ frustration, they also voiced concerns that the boycott might be misdirected and could exacerbate food waste.
As the protests continue, Swedish shoppers are determined to voice their discontent with the rising cost of living, pushing for systemic changes to alleviate the financial burden on families.
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