Overview
- Official data show food prices rose 1.2% year on year in November, yet shoppers faced stark product-by-product volatility throughout 2025.
- Prices fell for several staples on improved supply, including butter (-22%), wine grapes (-21.6%), olive oil (-17.4%), potatoes (-16.1%) and iceberg lettuce (-15.4%).
- Other items surged on poor harvests, plant disease and commodity shocks, led by canned stone fruit (+48.1%), table chocolate (+25.9%), frozen fruit (+25.6%), coffee (+22.5%) and minced beef (+22.4%).
- A Forsa survey reported 45% of consumers cut back on groceries in 2025, with 70% of households under €2,000 net income reducing purchases versus 39% above €3,500.
- Retailers leaned on private labels, promotions and occasional purchase limits—Kaufland rationed butter—while the consumer federation pressed for formal price monitoring.