The price crisis continues to dominate headlines as Carrefour proposed a fixed-price basket, aiming to ease the burden on consumers during a period of rising costs. The plan, discussed alongside Yolanda Díaz, the Second Vice-President of the Government, envisions a batch of 30 products offered at 30 euros. The minister stressed that the goal is for supermarkets to assemble baskets with stable prices, including fresh produce, meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products. The nuance is clear: the Carrefour basket itself does not contain all of these items, and it notably includes only three of the 13 food categories highlighted in the Consumption Department’s guide to essential products distributed this week. [Citation: Ministry of Consumption briefing]
This proposed basket aligns closely with the list prepared by three food-sector professionals consulted by El Periódico. The trio comprises Alicia Rodríguez, a neighborhood restaurant chef who relies on the daily menu for sustenance; Montserrat Bagó, manager of the Serhs Group overseeing school canteen meals; and Laura Padró, a dietitian advising the Fundació Banc dels Aliments de Barcelona. They converge on the same ten items. [Citation: El Periódico report]
The proposed contents include pasta or rice, fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables (ideally accompanied by tomatoes and onions, staples in Mediterranean cuisine), potatoes, some legumes, olive oil, eggs, a portion of meat, chicken or fish, some daily bread. Bought separately and sold as white-label products at Carrefour, Consum, or Mercadona, this bundle costs roughly 20 euros today.
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In any case, a basket designed to assist end consumers will not single-handedly resolve supply challenges. Restaurants form part of a broader business ecosystem that relies on wholesalers, while also juggling costs to keep operations afloat. Smaller establishments, in particular, feel the strain as margins tighten.
The scenario becomes even more intricate when considering infant feeding. Alongside inflation, entities serving schools must navigate a growing trend toward dietary diversity. Around 58% of children’s menus, according to Educa and Serhs Group, include accommodations for intolerances or cultural needs, and prices for school meals are often set through competitive processes prior to any price increases.
Small, medium and large businesses reject the shopping cart suggested by Yolanda Díaz
A third strand of the food sector faces its own hurdles beyond price rises: stock availability. The Barcelona-based Food Bank Foundation relies heavily on donations yet continues to base menus on the same core ten items: pasta, rice, legumes, vegetables, eggs, olive oil, and bread. These staples remain a healthy reference for many menus.
Regardless, the consensus appears to be that Carrefour will push forward with its envisioned basket, while Minister Yolanda Díaz continues pressing other major distributors to follow suit. Industry associations representing large retailers have offered cautious or unclear responses, and groups representing small traders express fears that price-targeted baskets could lead to consumer displacement or loss of purchasing power. The government remains engaged, and the Consumption department released an official product offer to fill the basket on a Friday: vegetables and fruits, cereals, potatoes, vegetable oils, legumes, hazelnuts, fish, eggs, dairy products, meat, crushed tomatoes, vegetable cream, and jars intended for children. [Citation: Government procurement notice]