I have two observations to make about a recent trip to a local supermarket.

For some time I’ve suspected that the price of bread has gone up, but today I am certain. I know that last year I was often paying around 1 Euro for a loaf of bread, depending on the type.

Here is the price that greeted me today:

Now, while the price of bread may be going up, the milk-producing farmers are complaining that they are not getting enough for a pint – sorry, litre – of milk. So they have gone on strike and are not supplying the dairies that in turn supply the supermarkets.

So there is a shortage of normal quality milk. The more expensive brands are still in stock, but this is what the normal milk area looked like today:

There’s none left! Apparently the strike ended today, so I shall be hoping to see a new delivery soon.

What was particularly interesting was that it was a discounter that made the first move to increase the amount paid to farmers for their milk. But at first the strike continued anyway. Now the price for the consumer is set to go back down again, leaving us with the threat of new strikes.

All of which leaves me wondering: when will we be able to buy milk again, and what we will have to pay for it?