cost of living food prices markets offers price savings shopping spain a
I think that all of us have noticed how the price of the weekly shopping bill in Spain has increased over the past year. Like a lot of families we are looking into how we could cut back.
Food prices in Spain have increased between five and 48 per cent.
The price of flour has risen by 28.29 per cent and that has a knock-on effect on bread which has increased by around 10-15 per cent. Sunflower oil has increased by a whopping 40 per cent (this is due to its scarcity – last year there was a contamination incident and production had to be stopped). Lemons have increased by around 50 per cent (this is due to a glut last year and a smaller crop this year). Milk has increased by around 14 per cent and yoghurt by around 12 per cent. Butter, sardines and tomatoes have risen by roughly 15 per cent.
It’s not all gloom and doom, some products have got slightly cheaper, including olive oil, sugar, chicken, canary island bananas and green peppers.
To cut back, many people are now shopping at markets. It takes more time (yes it is convenient doing all of your shopping in the Supermarket but the savings could be huge). Your best bet is if you can find an organic farmer’s market. Not only is the produce chemical-free but the chances are that it has only been picked a day or so before going to market! You may even be lucky enough to have a mobile butcher/deli in your marketplace. Sometimes the farmers set up stalls in my local town when they have a glut of produce. The choice is usually limited to only 2 or 3 types of fruit or vegetables but they are sold at rock-bottom prices.
Apart from that it is well worth revisiting the budget supermarkets such as Lidl and Dia. Many of their products are excellent.
Look out for special offers and if you have the space in your larder/freezer, buy in bulk.
Times may be hard but from what I hear from my relatives back in the UK, I think things are worse over there. Because of the appalling summers over the past 2-3 years, agricultural production has not been good and has led to high prices. All vegetables have risen by an average of 15 per cent, chicken has risen by a huge 40 per cent, ham has increased by 45 and a packet of 4 croissants has increased by more than 47 per cent!
The cost of living has always been lower in Spain and in spite of all the price increases, this still remains the case.
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