The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) is enhancing its online Price Monitor system, which has a positive impact on the market by helping to keep food prices in check. This initiative is in collaboration with the Ministry of National Economy (NGM) and aims to expand product categories based on recent consumer feedback.

Currently, consumers can track prices of over 2000 different food products across 78 categories in approximately 1200 stores nationwide. The system, accessible at www.arfigyelo.gvh.hu, is designed to save Hungarian shoppers both time and money.

Data from the Price Monitor indicates a strong demand for certain products, particularly chicken breast and pork in early 2024, while dairy products and eggs were popular in the latter half of the previous year. The GVH and NGM experts are actively discussing the introduction of new product categories to maximize the system's market impact.

GVH President Csaba Balázs Rigó emphasized the authority's commitment to monitoring market processes and intervening when necessary to combat profit-driven inflation, ensuring the protection of Hungarian families.

The Price Monitor was proposed by Rigó in March 2023, following in-depth sector investigations that highlighted the importance of price transparency and competition among retailers in reducing food inflation. Since its launch on July 1, 2023, the system has contributed to a significant decrease in food inflation in Hungary, with a reported savings of nearly 20 billion HUF for households between December 2023 and February 2024.

There is also growing international interest in the GVH's Price Monitor, with Slovakia planning to implement a similar online price comparison application for essential food items starting in July 2025.