RETRO: Prices of food and cigarettes under socialism

Why were the prices lower?

Many times we are during our heard that we were better off under socialism and goods it was cheaper in stores. First of all, it should be noted that even our salaries in the previous regime were completely different and mostly subsequently the prices of the products corresponded.

Butter, sugar and milk for a mouthful!

For example, butter went significantly increased in price in recent years. If we come across an event today where one cube can be found for 30 crowns, it’s a miracle. The normal price of butter fluctuates around 48 crowns. Under socialism, the prices were somewhere else and completely unimaginable for us today. Packaging 250 g of butter was sold for 10 crowns under socialism.

Milk in plastic bags

If we ignore how the passage of time changes the appearance and packaging of semi-skimmed milk, its prices are also rising. They are not only affected by the economic production itself and the costs associated with milk production, but also by the transport and packaging that producers use. It used to be sold milk in classic plastic bags, today it is in paper boxes reinforced with aluminum foil. The price of milk today it is around 18 crowns per liter. In earlier times we would for the same amount they paid 2 crowns.

Sugar was our gold

The price of sugar has also risen significantly in recent years. The first sugar cube was produced in our country at the end of the 19th century and we suddenly became the leading producer of this sweetener. Today we can buy a kilo of sugar for 26 crowns. If we come across an event, so on average for 14 crowns. Under socialism but we would save money and pay 8 crowns for a kilo of sugar.

There was no need to skimp on pastries either

Bread must not be missing in any household, and before it said the food of the poor. During World War II, bread was in short supply as bombings and airstrikes caused irreversible damage to the fields. However, with the passage of time, new types of bread and its price has also changed. Today for a loaf we will pay from 25 crownsin earlier times bread cost incredible 3 crowns.

A roll for a few pennies

Even the price of pastries significantly has increased and it is most visible on the classic roll. Today we can get it for three crowns and we wonder why the price goes up so much. This is not only due to the increase in the price of grain, but also other costs associated with transport and production. In earlier times, a roll cost 30 halers.

Cheap protein for everyone

Over time, even eggs change their shape, supplier and, above all, price. If we were to search today, we would find eggs for 5 crowns per piece. In earlier times, eggs were cheap and it cost approximately 1 crown. Absolutely unimaginable today.

The price of chicken also went up

Today we will buy a chicken exceptionally and we will think about whether we really want to make steaks for the weekend or not. Today, the price for a kilo of boneless chicken is somewhere around 74 crowns. But under socialism we would have the same package they bought the chicken for 30 crowns.

The beer was for 5 CZK, but the beer drinkers still roared

A favorite drink of Czechs, which belongs to a traditional weekend lunch. The most precious jewel we have and which we cannot allow. But the price of beer also changes and, for example, a pint pilsner twelves will cost us 27 kroner today. In earlier times the same amount beer cost 5 crowns, and that was considered expensive by some.

Almost everyone smoked

Cigarettes are another top-selling item. In the past, a pack of cigarettes cost an incredible 14 crowns, and this was still considered very expensive at the time. Today, smokers pay many times over and an ordinary pack of cigarettes costs 120 crowns.

Sources: Kupi, Coop