Morning Coffee Becomes a Luxury Item in Europe

The European Union's statistical office (Eurostat) stated that the morning cup of coffee has become an expensive indulgence, highlighting the increase in prices of coffee, sugar, and milk. Eurostat said, "Recent price increases may turn this basic commodity that people consume in the morning into a form of luxury," explaining that coffee prices rose, on average, by 16.9 percent in August compared to the price a year earlier. The office added that the price of whole fresh milk increased by an average of 24.3 percent, while the price of skimmed fresh milk rose by 22.2 percent. The highest increase was noted in sugar, with its average price soaring by 33.4 percent. Data showed that prices for these four items increased in all EU countries except Malta, where the prices of skimmed fresh milk remained unchanged.