The old tension between wanting heaven on one hand and bread on the other rings true today. The song, with its bold title, was popularized by María Jiménez with La Cabra Mecánica in 2001 and now mirrors today’s shoppers: prices keep edging up, no matter what. It captures a daily struggle to find relief while watching the cost of everyday essentials rise.
Recently the focus shifted from simply tracking oil prices to a broader look at how households manage groceries and prevent the grocery cart from tipping over. To gain practical insight, a seasoned gastronomic consultant named Carlos Núñez joined the effort as a personal shopper guiding shoppers through aisles and counters. Alongside him was a leading market research group known for ongoing consumer panels, providing fresh data as the season winds down. The goal was straightforward: observe with eyes and numbers, compare options, and offer credible, real time guidance.
Choose summer fruits
When questions arise about which fruits are best to buy now, Núñez provides clear guidance. As the season matures, supply grows, demand slackens, and prices ease. A quick trip to the market eliminates doubt. Melons and watermelons that once surged in price are now hovering near affordable levels per kilo, and stone fruits like nectarines and peaches are nearing their last prime picks of the season. This is the moment to select the most flavorful options before the market tightens again.
Núñez also highlights grapes, noting that the harvest remains plentiful and affordable. Muscat varieties are already reasonably priced. Other fruits that stay budget-friendly in September include figs, apples, and pears.
On the vegetable side, tomatoes stay a staple, but the best choices are the late-season varieties nearing full maturity. In many supermarkets, common types such as salad and vine tomatoes are often found for under two euros per kilo. This window is prime for cooking with eggplant, green beans, and courgettes, which typically sell around 1.70 to 1.50 euros per kilo.
Bluefish are a good bet in September
Another sign of progress is that affordable options like sardines and anchovies remain accessible. They can be displayed with margins that keep prices steady, around seven euros per kilo. Tuna tends to be even more economical at roughly five euros per kilo. The price of these staples invites cooks to experiment with new flavors, such as mackerel and horse mackerel, which are easy to prepare and often overlooked. It’s worth exploring new seasonal varieties because many offer excellent value at this time of year.
Núñez also expects the final days of the month to bring cephalopods like squid to market at attractive prices. By contrast, autumn may bring higher norms for salmon, a popular item in many households. Strong demand can push salmon prices upward, sometimes making it more practical to dine out or choose prepared options when the cost per meal is comparable.
Is there anything whose price remains reasonable?
The lingering question is whether any staples hold steady despite broad price pressures. Market data from recent months show some resilience in basics: chicken and eggs rose only modestly compared with last summer, while pasta stayed nearly flat, nudging around a one percent increase.
Desserts and alcohol on the rise
A notable trend is the impact on pastries, which have felt the pinch. Market tracking shows a substantial uptick in these items, with sugar and milk showing meaningful price movements as well. The dairy category has faced steady pressure, while beer prices have climbed due to shifts in barley supply. Brands within the same large beer groups may offer alternatives that help keep costs in check, especially when promotions are available.
Overall, food and medicine prices have risen at a moderate pace, yet certain shelf-stable items have shown resilience. Some lesser-known meats and specialty items have demonstrated notable price movements over the past year, suggesting that households might explore new options when budgets tighten.