D.he supermarkets defend themselves after the criticism of the Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir (Greens) of “junk prices” for food and recall basic concepts of the market economy. In response to a request from the FAZ, the Aldi Group announced that it was the company’s aim to “offer our customers high quality at the best possible price at all times”. The Aldi purchase prices “basically follow the market economy principle of supply and demand”.
Kaufland reminded politicians and the public that the sales prices were also based on “supply and demand as well as competition”. Lidl, Edeka and Rewe did not respond to a request from the FAZ by the time we went to press.
Özdemir, who is also responsible for nutrition, had described these “best possible” prices on the Christmas weekend to the newspaper “Bild am Sonntag” as “junk prices”. This should no longer exist in the future. He went into court with the conditions in German agriculture and the food trade. A kilo of minced meat that costs 3.98 euros cannot come from happy animals. No peasant family can make a living from it. He made the “junk prices” jointly responsible for a number of developments: “They are driving farms into ruin, preventing more animal welfare, promoting species extinction and polluting the climate.” He wanted to change that. With the statements, the politician had triggered a broad debate.
Inexpensive thanks to slim structures
Aldi sees its own prices as an important tool to reduce excess capacities. “We can also offer our products so cheaply because, as a discounter, we buy in large quantities, we can fall back on very lean structures and have a select range.” The group also referred to its measures to improve animal welfare for the future are planned.
From 2025 onwards, meat from husbandry form 1, i.e. normal stable husbandry, should no longer be available. “By 2030 at the latest, there will be chicken, turkey, pork and beef exclusively from husbandry forms 3, i.e. outdoor climate husbandry, or 4, premium husbandry, such as organic products.”
Kaufland also announced that it was taking “responsibility for people, animals and the environment”, that it had taken “various measures” at an early stage and that it was promoting better housing conditions. Farmers received “additional remuneration in the form of an animal welfare bonus and a feed bonus for GMO-free feeding”.