The pandemic and mobility restrictions triggered the consumption of fresh products in Spanish families. And although the consumption levels of the year 2020 were relaxed in 2021, one in three euros of household food spending was allocated to the acquisition of fresh products, specifically 41%, according to data from the IV Edition of the Observatory of fresh products that Aldi Spain has published this Thursday.
In total, Spanish consumers spent 35,614 million euros on the purchase of fresh food products, which represents an average of 1,900 euros per family. This is 8.6% more than before the pandemic and around 6% less than the 2,192 euros that were spent at the height of the confinement, when the fresh category was the one that increased the most compared to the total feeding.
Despite the fact that in 2021 inflation had not yet shot up to current levels, the average price of fresh products has already risen by 1.8%, compared to the measured rise of 1.1% for all food products . Although last year not only did prices push up in total consumption, the cost of the purchase also rose because consumers chose higher value products such as cherries, plums, salmon, avocado or kiwis.
“With the price hike of 2022, what we have noticed is that the consumer is cushioning the price rise by modifying the mix of products they purchase. If in 2021, for example, it opted for fruits such as cherries or plums, which are more expensive, now the trend is the opposite", explained Ignacio Cid, head of Studies and Analysis at Aldi Spain, during the presentation of the report in Madrid.
In any case, from the chain they assure "to be very attentive" to the behavior of the consumer. “What we are very clear about is that the food consumer is very sensitive to rising prices and changes his behavior quickly. We still haven't noticed big changes because our price increase is lower than the distribution average because we're adjusting margins to make it so”, explains Cid.
The manager was in favor of "any measure that supports the consumer as long as they respect the balance throughout the distribution chain", referring to the claim launched by the Asedas association, to which Aldi does not belong, but which represents others like Mercadona or Dia. Last week Asedas launched a claim to the Government to lower taxes such as VAT and implement measures that allow the chains to contain the significant price escalation in food products that is already "beginning to be very significant for the final consumer," they warn. from Asedas.
Inflationary pressure prevails when consumers have already adapted purchasing patterns that are difficult to change. For example, 91% of Spaniards give importance to fresh products within a healthy diet. With special prominence of fruits and vegetables, which are considered essential in 50.3% and 25.7% of cases.
On the other hand, fresh meat is the most questioned category of fresh products and, together with fresh bread, they maintain a downward trend in their consumption that began in 2018.
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