Uncontrollable inflation in Europe reduces Alicante’s demand for ecological products
Inflation has reshaped how families shop and what they buy. Across households, spending rose while the amount of food bought fell. People still bought groceries, but the mix shifted away from higher priced items and toward more affordable options. Organic products, usually pricier, saw a sharp drop in consumption during this period. Makers facing pressure to move products at lower costs adjusted their lines accordingly.
Recent data from the Food Consumption Panel, prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, show that in Alicante and the broader Valencian Community the average cost per person for food rose by 11.4 percent, even as the quantity purchased declined by 4.8 percent. The figures illustrate a dual dynamic: more money spent per person, but less food acquired overall. In February 2022 the average per-person food expenditure in the state stood at 115.59 euros, rising to 128.75 euros this year, while annual per-person consumption dropped from 45.49 kilos to 43.30 kilos. These numbers come from the same official sources. [Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Food Consumption Panel]
The comprehensive data leaves little doubt about how inflation is reshaping choices. The main victims are premium products, with organic categories showing notable declines as consumers cut back on higher priced items to manage household budgets. Manufacturers responded by offering more affordable options that do not rely on organic labeling to keep shelves stocked and prices down.
From fresh to processed
In today’s shopping carts, fresh fruit and vegetables have diminished with declines of 9.7 percent and 12.9 percent in kilograms consumed, though expenditure on vegetables remains four percent of the family budget in Alicante due to inflation. Meat categories increased their consumption by about 3.6 kilograms per person in February, equating to a 7.7 percent rise overall. Within this shift, chicken purchases surged by 19.6 percent and pork by 9.5 percent, while lamb cost climbed but its consumption decreased by 25.5 percent. The convenience sector also rose, with frozen ready meals up 16.5 percent and overall ready-to-eat dishes increasing by 9.5 percent in a single year.
Fernando Moner, spokesperson for the Valencia Consumers and Users Association, notes that the data reflect households facing more than a year of rising prices and eroding purchasing power. The group emphasizes the need for measures that protect essential products through mechanisms such as value-added tax adjustments and expanded core item coverage, including meat and fish products that occupy a larger share of the shopping cart.
Moner stresses the importance of addressing root causes to stabilize prices and reduce costs as much as possible. He also warns that a return to pre-pandemic price levels for food is unlikely in the near term. While some moderation has occurred in recent months, the year-over-year rise in food prices remains close to 13 percent according to the latest INE data, far from a return to earlier costs.