Supermarket Prices in Norway in 2024 – A Comprehensive Guide
One of the first things one realizes when arriving in Norway is the cost of literally everything! Norway is renowned for its high cost of living, a factor that extends significantly into the realm of Supermarket prices. Price of groceries in Norway can be a notable expense for tourists and newcomers, reflecting the country’s generally high cost of living. The below guide is based on my own recent trips to Norway, the first one where I was mostly eating out and the second one where we were driving and hiking across the country and hence mostly buying groceries.
Norway can be expensive to travel, but the cost of food should not be prohibitive from exploring this stunning country. Below is a guide to supermarket prices, including typical grocery costs in Norway, cheap Norweigan supermarkets and cost saving tips for gocery shopping in Norway. For more on cost of eating on in Norway check out my detailed guide on Cost of Eating Out in Norway.
What are the Cheap Supermarkets in Norway?
In Norway, several supermarket chains are known for their budget-friendly prices (although I have found that ‘cheap’ is a relative term here) making them a better choice for cost-conscious travelers and shoppers. The main or largest supermarkets known for reasonable grocery prices are as follows –
REMA 1000
This is the largest discount supermarket chain in Norway. Its known for its wide range of staple food items. REMA 1000 also offers a membership app and a 10% discount rate on some grocery essentials like fruits, vegetables which change week to week.
Kiwi
This is another popular chain. Kiwi is widely accessible throughout the country. It is known for its competitive pricing and user-friendly store design. Kiwi stores are common in both large cities and smaller towns, making it a convenient option for many shoppers (Norwegian Routes) (The Norway Guide).
Coop Extra
Part of the larger Coop Norge chain, Coop Extra stores offer a variety of products at lower prices compared to other Coop formats. They are known for their broad product range and presence across Norway
Bunnpris prices are higher on average, although weekly offers can reduce costs on some items. Joker is typically the most expensive among the five, often due to its smaller store size and convenience-focused locations.
*Meny, on the other hand, is considered a premium supermarket with higher end of supermarket prices in Norway, but a broader range of products, including international and specialty items
Price comparison across cheaper supermarkets in Norway in 2024
The below table is a summary of supermarket prices for some of Norway’s cheaper supermarkets for common items.
Item | REMA 1000 | Kiwi | Coop Extra | Bunnpris | Joker |
Milk (1 liter) | 18 NOK / 1.71 USD | 18 NOK / 1.71 USD | 18 NOK / 1.71 USD | 19 NOK / 1.80 USD | 20 NOK / 1.90 USD |
Bread (loaf) | 25 NOK / 2.38 USD | 25 NOK / 2.38 USD | 26 NOK / 2.47 USD | 28 NOK / 2.66 USD | 30 NOK / 2.85 USD |
Eggs (12-pack) | 30 NOK / 2.85 USD | 30 NOK / 2.85 USD | 32 NOK / 3.04 USD | 34 NOK / 3.23 USD | 35 NOK / 3.33 USD |
Chicken Breast (1 kg) | 95 NOK / 9.03 USD | 95 NOK / 9.03 USD | 99 NOK / 9.40 USD | 105 NOK / 9.97 USD | 110 NOK / 10.45 USD |
Apples (1 kg) | 28 NOK / 2.66 USD | 28 NOK / 2.66 USD | 30 NOK / 2.85 USD | 32 NOK / 3.04 USD | 35 NOK / 3.33 USD |
Potatoes (1 kg) | 20 NOK / 1.90 USD | 20 NOK / 1.90 USD | 22 NOK / 2.09 USD | 24 NOK / 2.28 USD | 25 NOK / 2.38 USD |
Rice (1 kg) | 20 NOK / 1.90 USD | 20 NOK / 1.90 USD | 22 NOK / 2.09 USD | 24 NOK / 2.28 USD | 25 NOK / 2.38 USD |
Cheese (500 g) | 50 NOK / 4.75 USD | 50 NOK / 4.75 USD | 52 NOK / 4.94 USD | 55 NOK / 5.22 USD | 58 NOK / 5.51 USD |
Butter (250 g) | 28 NOK / 2.66 USD | 28 NOK / 2.66 USD | 30 NOK / 2.85 USD | 32 NOK / 3.04 USD | 33 NOK / 3.14 USD |
Tomatoes (1 kg) | 35 NOK / 3.33 USD | 35 NOK / 3.33 USD | 38 NOK / 3.61 USD | 40 NOK / 3.80 USD | 42 NOK / 3.99 USD |
Beer (0.5 liter) | 45 NOK / 4.28 USD | 45 NOK / 4.28 USD | 45 NOK / 4.28 USD | 50 NOK / 4.75 USD | 55 NOK / 5.22 USD |
These are average prices only and can differ from region and different times of the year.
Oslo Supermarket prices
Food prices in Oslo tend to be higher compared to other Norwegian cities, but this is more reflection of iit being a larger more cosmopolitan hub with a relatively higher cost of living compared to Norway’s other cities. I found that fresh produce like apples and potatoes are more reasonably priced, but still cost more than in smaller cities. Overall, shopping in Oslo does require budgeting for higher grocery bills, especially for imported goods and meats and any speciality / ethnic food stores. To manage costs, many residents take advantage of discounts and loyalty programs with the various supermarket chains. Despite the higher prices, the quality and variety of food available in Oslo’s supermarkets is pretty high.
Bergen Supermarket prices
Food prices in Bergen city are somewhat lower than in Oslo for equivalent items, making it a bit more affordable for residents and tourists alike. One great aspect of shopping in Bergen if you’re a seafood fan is the availability of fresh fish and seafood, often caught locally. I highly recommend visiting the famous Bergen Fish Market by the harbour. Here you can purchase fresh fish and seafood, as well as enjoy ready-to-eat delicacies. However given its location is close to the harbour and cruise shop arrivals, it is frequented by a lot of tourists. As such, I did find prices here a tad more on the expensive side. For those moving to Bergen, it’s useful to know that while staples like milk and bread are reasonably priced, shopping at local markets can provide fresher options and sometimes better deals.
Supermarket prices in Norway by city
The following are supermarket prices in Norway compared across different Norweigan cities for the most common grocery products, reflecting prices grocery prices as of 2024.
Item | Oslo (NOK / USD) | Bergen (NOK / USD) | Trondheim (NOK / USD) | Stavanger (NOK / USD) |
Milk (1 liter) | 20 NOK / 1.90 USD | 18 NOK / 1.71 USD | 19 NOK / 1.80 USD | 18 NOK / 1.71 USD |
Bread (loaf) | 28 NOK / 2.66 USD | 25 NOK / 2.38 USD | 26 NOK / 2.47 USD | 25 NOK / 2.38 USD |
Eggs (12-pack) | 35 NOK / 3.33 USD | 30 NOK / 2.85 USD | 32 NOK / 3.04 USD | 30 NOK / 2.85 USD |
Chicken Breast (1 kg) | 110 NOK / 10.45 USD | 95 NOK / 9.03 USD | 99 NOK / 9.40 USD | 95 NOK / 9.03 USD |
Apples (1 kg) | 35 NOK / 3.33 USD | 28 NOK / 2.66 USD | 30 NOK / 2.85 USD | 28 NOK / 2.66 USD |
Potatoes (1 kg) | 25 NOK / 2.38 USD | 20 NOK / 1.90 USD | 22 NOK / 2.09 USD | 20 NOK / 1.90 USD |
Rice (1 kg) | 25 NOK / 2.38 USD | 20 NOK / 1.90 USD | 22 NOK / 2.09 USD | 20 NOK / 1.90 USD |
Cheese (500 g) | 58 NOK / 5.51 USD | 50 NOK / 4.75 USD | 52 NOK / 4.94 USD | 50 NOK / 4.75 USD |
Butter (250 g) | 33 NOK / 3.14 USD | 28 NOK / 2.66 USD | 30 NOK / 2.85 USD | 28 NOK / 2.66 USD |
Tomatoes (1 kg) | 42 NOK / 3.99 USD | 35 NOK / 3.33 USD | 38 NOK / 3.61 USD | 35 NOK / 3.33 USD |
Beer (0.5 liter) | 45 NOK / 4.28 USD | 40 NOK / 3.80 USD | 42 NOK / 3.99 USD | 40 NOK / 3.80 USD |
What about the cost of eating out in Norway?
Eating out in Norway can get expensive depending on where you go and prices can vary widely – check out our guide on Cost of Food in Norway to learn more. Nonetheless, I found food here is exceptionally fresh and most restaurants place a high importance on food quality and freshness, which really came across whilst dining out in Norway.
Things you should know when shopping for Groceries in Norway
Grocery shopping in Norway can be a unique experience for tourists and newcomers. My second day in Bergen, I was fortunate enough to do an amazing walking tour where our guide imparted some extremely helpful tips on supermarkets and grocery shopping in Norway. Some useful tips to know are:
Supermarket Opening Hours in Norway
Norwegian supermarkets generally have shorter opening hours compared to those in many other countries. Typcial Supermarket opening hours are –
Monday to Friday: 7:00 or 8:00 AM to 10:00 or 11:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 or 8:00 AM to 8:00 – 10:00 PM
Sunday: Most supermarkets are closed
Most stores close by 9 /10PM on weekdays and have limited hours on Saturdays, often closing by 6 PM. Further, many supermarkets close on Sundays!
I personally struggled with this because I was flying out of Norway on the Sunday and really wanted to buy some local delicacies before leaving, and I can tell from experience its much easier if you do your groceries/ Norwegian supermarket haul on Monday to Saturday. Some smaller convenience stores like Joker or Bunnpris may open for a few hours on a Sunday, but these shops can often be much smaller with a limited grocery range.
Membership Discounts
Many supermarkets offer membership programs that can help save money. For example, REMA 1000’s app provides discounts on fruits, vegetables, and your ten most purchased items (not quite as helpful if you are just a tourist shopping 1 or 2 times). These programs are free to join and can be linked to your payment card for automatic savings.
Reusable Bags
Norway like most Scandinavian countries places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags, and plastic bags are available for purchase at a small fee. I noticed in Norway that you will hardly see any locals shopping without their own bags.
Purchasing Alcohol in Norway
If you’re looking to buy alcohol, be aware that beer can be purchased in supermarkets but only until 8 PM on weekdays and 6 PM on Saturdays.For wine and spirits, you’ll need to visit a ‘Vinmonopolet‘. This is what is known as a state-run liquor store – given the market for these is more regulated in Norway. The Vinmonopolet also has more restricted hours and is closed on Sundays.
Unique Grocery items to be found in Norway Supermarkets
I personally love doing a grocery haul and picking up some local delicacies and unique items when traveling to a new country and Norway was no exception! These are some items I’ve picked up myself or had recommended to me by locals if you’re visiting or new to Norway.
- Brunost (Brown Cheese) – 70 NOK / 6.65 USD: This caramel-colored cheese has a sweet and tangy flavor, often eaten on bread or waffles.
- Knekkebrød (Crispbread) – 25 NOK / 2.38 USD: A type of dry, flat cracker made from whole grain, popular for breakfast and lunch.
- Lefse – 40 NOK / 3.80 USD: A traditional soft flatbread made from potatoes, flour, butter, and milk or cream.
- Kaviar (Caviar) – 30 NOK / 2.85 USD: A spreadable fish roe paste, commonly used on bread or crispbread for breakfast or snacks.
- Lutefisk – 150 NOK / 14.25 USD: Dried whitefish soaked in lye and then rehydrated, often a seasonal delicacy around Christmas.
- Cloudberries (Molter) – 100 NOK / 9.50 USD: Rare and expensive berries, often found in jam form with a unique, tart flavor.
- Reindeer and Elk Meat – 120 NOK / 11.40 USD: Available in various forms such as sausages, steaks, and dried snacks.
- Tubed Foods – 25 NOK / 2.38 USD: Including kaviar and various cheese spreads, these are convenient and popular for quick snacks.
- Rømme – 20 NOK / 1.90 USD: A type of sour cream that is richer and thicker than its American counterpart.
- Local Seafood – 150 NOK / 14.25 USD: Fresh seafood including salmon, mackerel, cod, and herring, often prepared in traditional ways like smoked or pickled.
Are you heading to Norway?
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