A single one-liter bottle of extra virgin olive oil from the Carbonell brand, 100% Hojiblanca variety, shows notable price gaps between suppliers. In some marketplaces the field price is around 9 euros, yet retail listings climb to about 14.5 euros in hypermarkets. A five-liter bottle of Maestros de Hojiblanca is priced around 41.5 euros at the source, but can reach nearly 65 euros in large chains like Carrefour. In contrast, a one-liter bottle of Cosur extra virgin oil is listed at 8 euros in the field, with consumer prices around 12 euros in hypermarkets. These differences stand out as the most pronounced observed in early October, though not on every single day.
“If this is not speculation, if farmers are simply raising prices, they should show their motives,” stated Reuben Sanchez, the general secretary of Facua, during an interview this Thursday.
Facua, an advocacy group focused on consumer rights, has been monitoring price movements within the basic food products category, a segment affected by a government VAT reduction since January. The group notes that inflation and family expenses are closely tied and that many items once thought to stabilize are instead rising, with the olive oil sector drawing particular scrutiny due to reported increases of up to 75% in a single month. They also report clear price discrepancies across supermarkets, which they interpret as evidence of price manipulation.
According to Sanchez, the sector shows signs of inflated profit margins and potential violations of regulations designed to limit price increases for products subject to reduced VAT. He emphasizes that the law prohibits raising profit margins at every step of the supply chain for items with VAT relief, and he argues that industry practices may be out of step with this rule.
Data from the olive oil specific analysis reveal that four out of ten prices rose from September to October. The most dramatic increases were for large-volume packaging. A five-liter Carbonell bottle sold through Carrefour rose by about 27 euros, bringing the price to roughly 65 euros. A similar five-liter bottle of Picual from Fuente Sierra de Alcampó rose from 23 euros to 40 euros. Additionally, a one-liter Carbonell plastic bottle sold at Hipercor jumped from 9 euros in September to 14 euros.
Packaging, retail channels, and price movement
There is uncertainty about whether the brand itself drives price changes or if the dominant factor is the behavior of supermarket chains. Sanchez notes that large chains may implement substantial increases while others keep prices stable or even reduce them. He observes that in a single store prices can fall while in neighboring locations they rise, underscoring a fragmented pricing landscape across the market.
The spokesperson assigns primary responsibility to retailers and packaging machinery options, while also criticizing the government for not taking stronger action. He argues that margins should not climb in a market where such increases are prohibited, and he questions whether authorities are sufficiently addressing the situation.
Facua has indicated plans to broaden the complaint to the prosecutor’s office and to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs in response to observed price hikes in products that carry VAT relief. Sanchez notes that while some complaints have been filed, responses from the authorities have not yet been received. He says the organization will continue to pursue remedies through national market regulators and competition authorities as needed.