The rise in food prices has forced Spanish families to adapt their shopping carts. This is revealed by a survey carried out by the Federation of Consumers and Users of Andalusia (FACUA) among 3,334 Spanish consumers, which indicates that one of the products that has been most affected has been meat, especially beef.
In this survey, spending on dairy products, fruits and vegetables and services has also been studied, comparing it with that of 2022 and the current one.
The study, carried out between January 15 and February 6, reflects that meat consumption and, especially, beef consumption has decreased considerably. If two years ago, 32.9% of the families surveyed stated that they took it one or more times a week, now only 17.6% claim to do so. Likewise, 82.3% only consume beef every two weeks or less, and of those, 30% do not even buy it once a month or do not buy it.
The consumption of chicken per week has also been reduced in the last two years: now 61% of families (previously it was 73.4%) claim to eat it at least once every seven days. While those who consume it every fifteen days or less have gone from 26.5% to 38.9%.
The percentage of families that eat pork weekly has decreased, as has happened with beef and chicken, being 50.9% two years ago and currently 33.4%.
The rise in food prices also leaves a shocking figure with the consumption of fish. Now, 43.3% say they consume it at least once a week, while before the percentage was 67.6%.
Healthier habits have also suffered from inflation. 62.3% of families say they consume it between four to six days weekly, while before the figure for this same periodicity was 77.7%.
The families surveyed have reduced milk products in their shopping carts. If before, 76.6% took them four to seven days a week, currently, the percentage is 62.9%.
The same FACUA study also reveals that more than 60% of families have sacrificed quality food due to rising prices. Olive oil is the product that has been replaced the most by one of inferior cachet, being the most voted (42.5%).
Going out to bars and restaurants has been the service most affected by the rise in food prices. The study has revealed that 3 out of 4 families have had to reduce spending on products and services. And, with respect to restaurants, specifically, more than 65% say they have reduced their spending on eating and drinking out.
Respondents have also given their opinion on the measures that have been applied to combat food inflation, such as the reduction in VAT on some essential products. More than 80% (83.4%) believe that it has not benefited them, because the price difference has been very small, while the products have continued to become more expensive.
