They stand among the world’s most notable figures in their field. The shopping cart, and therefore its most affected users, are at the center of a broad shift in prices. A widespread rise in costs touched almost all Catalan shoppers in 2022, with just over 60% reporting they reduced their intake of fresh supermarket products as a result. This finding comes from the fifth edition of the Aldi Fresco Observatory, which also showed that spending on fresh items in Catalonia outpaced national averages across Spain.
The report covers staples such as bread, delicatessen items, eggs, meat, fish and shellfish, and fruit and vegetables. According to the analysis, the annual budget allocated to these products in Catalonia reached 2,089 euros, about 198 euros higher than the 1,901 euros recorded at the national level. Notably, this figure mirrors the prior year, suggesting that the drop in fresh-product consumption did not translate into a dramatic fall in expenditure; if purchases had remained higher, total outlays would have risen even more due to price pressures.
Value for money, cited by 74.5% of respondents, and quality, at 55.1%, remain the most important factors when buying fresh produce in Catalonia. The survey drew on insights from 3,200 participants and was conducted with the involvement of Aldi, reflecting shopper sentiment, purchasing power, and perceived value in today’s market. In the face of inflation, nearly half of families—49%—identify price as a defining element when selecting fresh groceries from the supermarket shelf, the observatory notes.
That context helps explain why three out of five Catalan consumers reported buying fewer fresh products this year. The overall picture for Spain shows an 8% decline in demand compared with 2021, underscoring a broader tightening of household budgets in the face of rising prices.
Fruit, vegetables and meat
Yet Aldi’s data indicate that fresh produce still commands a substantial share of consumer spending. The observatory reports that the annual food budget allocates 43.2% to these products, with fruits and vegetables leading the way at 37.4% of the expenditure. Fresh meat follows at 25%, while delicatessen items account for 15.3% and fish and seafood represent 13% of outlays.
Internal figures from the chain show that sales of fresh produce grew by 8.5% in 2022 versus 2021. The price-increase environment and Aldi’s discount framework—which combines practical know-how with ongoing process adjustments to preserve price relief for shoppers—are highlighted as key drivers. The chain emphasizes that its price-control measures and ongoing value offers remain crucial to helping consumers manage essential grocery costs during inflationary periods.
Overall, the study indicates that fresh produce continues to play a central role in Catalan shopping baskets, while households navigate higher prices by prioritizing value and core needs. The findings illustrate how retailer strategies, consumer priorities, and macroeconomic pressures intersect in contemporary grocery shopping across Catalonia and beyond.