If you still don’t believe us,

Here it is from the local paper: 

Food prices 62% higher in
Iceland

Morgunbladid – According to recent figures from Eurostat, the
average prices in Iceland
for food and drink are 62% higher than in the 15 states forming the EU before
its expansion. The highest food prices in Europe are in
Iceland , which
also tops the list when it comes to all household expenditures. These
expenditures are 46% higher in Iceland
than in the EU. Actually, countries outside the EU –
Iceland , Norway
and Switzerland
– stand out regarding higher food prices, relative to the states in the
EU. Norway is second after
Iceland , with 52% higher food prices, and in
Switzerland the
corresponding figures are 40% higher. Andres Magnusson, Managing Director of
the Association of Icelandic importers, exporters and wholesale merchants, said
that the most obvious explanation was the high price of agricultural products
in Iceland .
He said that if Icelanders wanted to lower prices to a level comparable to that
in the other Nordic countries, the protective tariffs for the agricultural
sector would be the biggest component to work on. Magnusson added that there
were other factors involved, like high purchasing power, disadvantageous
purchasing and insufficient competition on the retail market.

Nope, we weren’t kidding.  One can only hope this reaches the powers that be and it is realized that we do not receive enough COLA to live on the local economy.  Our food prices are much higher than Switzerland, yet their COLA is 10% greater than ours. 

Now, I am happy to pay more for better food and think that some of the food in the States is actually under-priced for the work that was put into producing it.   However, to be 62% above EU members?  For those of you who thought the EU was expensive, think again!

BTW, this should in no way deter future visitors, as after all, at least you would not have to deal with lodging costs (1 SMALL double room averages $200 USD/night)…but could you bring some groceries with you, pretty please??