© CTK Prices of eggs are also expected to grow
The weakening of the crown currency following the central bank's interventions is criticised above all by those producers that import a large part of commodities for their production, such as smaller producers of sweets and some meat processors, Stolcova said.
Growing costs are forcing food companies to cut margins, but a number of them cannot afford further reduction. Some producers even fear they will have to restrict production and cut staff numbers, according to Stolcova.
Meat processing companies, for example, say they have limited pig imports from abroad and increased slaughters of pigs from Czech farmers as a result of interventions.
They say a higher price of grain will raise prices of fodder, which will then lead to a growth in the prices of foods of animal origin, especially meat and eggs.
"The CNB's intervention had a largely positive impact on milk processors and dairies that export a large part of their production," Stolcova noted.
By contrast, an increase in prices and a related reduction of imports can be a positive thing for Czech producers.
"Even though many companies had secured exchange rates of the euro and the dollar at prices agreed in advance in banks, they reckon with a loss, according to their preliminary calculations," Stolcova said.
The reason are long-term contracts in Czech crowns for products made from imported commodities paid for in euros, for example.
Globus spokeswoman Pavla Hobikova said some food items will get more expensive, for instance, milk and dairy products. Lower milk production is behind a price hike over the past few months and the trend will likely continue during winter, she said.
"Growing prices of packaging materials imported to the country are another factor," she added. Their growth has been caused by the central bank's interventions.
Judita Urbankova, spokeswoman for the retail chain Albert, has confirmed that the weaker crown is pushing prices in retail higher. Food imports are getting more expensive.
"There's no analysis at the moment that would clearly specify the impacts of the crown's weakening on food prices and the time when the impacts are apparent," said Urbankova. There was no steep price hike in Albert stores after the interventions, she added. "Our price policy will follow the market," she pointed out.
The CNB launched the forex interventions on November 7. The crown's value dropped to near Kc27/EUR after the move.
Comment: People might want to start canning their meats and lard right now, so that they are able to have proper nutrition when meat products become a luxury item affordable only for the very few. Czech food prices grew nearly 7 percent in 2012, which was the fastest rate in the EU, and the trend continues.