An international survey conducted by 7News suggests Australians are paying much higher amounts for their groceries when compared to other countries.

As the 'milk war' rages between consumer groups, supermarkets and dairy producers and the rising cost of living influences news and everyday family agendas, 7News compared the prices of basic items procured in an average weekly shop to discover that costs in Australian supermarkets are between 20 to 50 per cent more than in foreign cities like Paris and London.

Australian supermarkets claim they're fighting a price war and customers are reaping the benefits.

Ingrid Just from Choice magazine says, "Price wars are keeping some of the key staples down which is assisting consumers, but at the end of the day it's the total costs of the basket"

Independent MP Nick Xenophon says that Australians are being 'ripped off'.

Xenophon claims that the only way to bring down prices for consumers is to break down the supermarket duopoly dominating the industry and restricting shoppers.