In August, bread prices in the European Union rose by nearly 18% compared to the previous year, marking the highest increase since December 2017. This surge is largely attributed to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a key supplier of grain and fertilizers, which has disrupted global markets and led to a significant increase in world wheat prices. The most significant price hikes were observed in Hungary (66%) and Lithuania (33%), while countries like France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg experienced lower increases. The steady rise in bread prices in the EU, which began in February when Russia invaded Ukraine, has resulted in the highest combined prices of bread and cereals since at least January 1997.