The price of raw materials, such as cooking oil or beef fat, continues to rise. A trend that has repercussions on the famous Belgian fries cone.
Every month, RTL info and Testachats analyze the evolution of prices in supermarkets through a basket of more than 3,000 basic products, distributed across 7 major chains. The verdict is clear: inflation continues to weigh heavily on basic necessities.
Among them, the fats used in chip shops have not escaped the increase. In just two years, the price of cooking oil has jumped 30%. An increase that harms both consumers and professionals.
Each year, a Belgian consumes on average 16 kg of fries, with a frequency of approximately one serving per week. In Wallonia, where a third of the country’s 5,000 chip shops are located, 130 tonnes of fries are served every day.
The impact on professionals
Astrit Sefa, co-manager of the Master Frites chip shop in Brussels, notes a general increase in costs. The price of a bag of fries has increased slightly in his establishment, passing “from €3.50 in 2020 to €3.90 in 2025“.
A moderate increase given the fluctuations in raw materials. He claims that in 2019, “10 kg of beef fat cost €15“. Still according to him, this price has risen to “€37 in 2020, before dropping to around €20 since 2023“.
Despite this, Astrit Sefa ensures that it has done its utmost to absorb the increases: “Prices have soared, not just for fat, but also for energy, gas and living costs. We have purged our profits so as not to penalize our customers. We increased our prices by only 6%, while actual costs increased by more than 30%.“
However, Master Frites claims not to have changed its practices: “We always use the same beef fat, because to offer a quality final product, we are obliged to do so. Otherwise, we would lose quality, which is not the goal.“
Changing consumption
Inflation could, however, influence purchasing behavior. According to the Delhaize brand, the sale of cooking oils shows a downward trend. The appearance of air fryers, like air fryers, could explain this development, although the direct impact of the increase in prices should not be neglected.
In the meantime, chip shop professionals continue to juggle economic constraints to preserve a culinary tradition dear to Belgians. But with frying oil remaining on average 30% more expensive than in March 2022, the cone of fries remains a more expensive pleasure than before.
inflation Belgium rise in prices supermarkets frying oil price 2025 fats chip shops basket RTL info-Testachats
