Prices vary in 'Baltic eurozone'

Take note – story published 9 years ago

An price comparison experiment by national broadcaster LTV has come up with the conclusion that despite Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania all now using the euro as their currency, items cost slightly different amounts in all three countries.

Lithuania followed Estonia (2011) and Latvia (2014) into the eurozone on January 1.

While it is too early to say with certainty which country provides the cheapest goods, early indications from LTV's unscientific experiment suggest Riga is the most expensive of the three Baltic capitals.

Reporters for LTV's Panorama news show bought a basket of goods from Rimi supermarkets and Statoil filling stations in all three countries.

Riga's bill came to €21.07, the tab in Vilnius was €20.80 while Tallinn came out cheapest on €20.45.

A Latvian resident whose name was given only as 'Elisabete' told LTV: "Riga certainly [is more expensive]. I do not know why. Whenever you are abroad you feel that things are cheaper than in Latvia. It's not normal."

Perhaps surprisingly, Latvia's famous Laima chocolate was much more expensive in Riga tha Vilnius or Tallinn, costing €1.29 compared with €0.99 in Tallinn and just €0.95 in Vilnius.

Nevertheless, the generally small price discrepancies are unlikely to see Latvians heading over the border north or south to stock up on groceries. 

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