The cost of the Christmas shopping basket has risen by at least 5.1% compared to last year and the average price has reached historic highs for seven typical products, including lamb, beef round, Iberian ham and oysters, according to calculations by the Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU). The OCU has activated its Christmas price observatory, whose first of three planned checks has confirmed that prices have risen again, although by one tenth less than in 2024, when they increased by 5.2%.
Over the last decade, the Christmas basket has accumulated a 57% increase, according to the study, which analysed 16 products in demand at this time of year in municipal markets, supermarkets and hypermarkets in. Just weeks before Christmas, meat prices have risen to historic levels, according to the organisation, which pointed out that the most expensive foods can be replaced by poultry, which is always cheaper.
The seven foods that have reached historic highs are: Iberian ham (€67.52 per kilo), oysters (€30.84/kilo), suckling lamb (€23.18/kilo), beef round (€20.22/kilo), turkey (€6.65/kilo), pomegranates (€3.18/kilo) and pineapples (€2.19/kilo). Ten of the sixteen products analysed in the basket have increased in price, especially beef round and oysters (19%), followed by sea bass and Iberian ham (10%), suckling lamb (8%), pomegranates (9%), pineapples (8%), turkey (7%), hake (6%) and clams (6%).
On the other hand, prawns, elvers and barnacles have maintained their prices compared to a year ago, while there have been decreases in pularda (-16%), sea bream (-3%) and red cabbage (-1%). In view of the most expensive Christmas dinners in recent years, the OCU has recommended planning purchases in advance, taking advantage of special offers and considering more affordable alternatives, as well as buying fresh seafood to freeze it to avoid possible subsequent price increases.
It has also asked the government to temporarily reduce VAT from 4% to 0% on basic foods (fruit, vegetables, fresh legumes, milk, eggs, olive oil) and to reduce it from 10% to 4% on meat and fish. Spanish Christmas food traditions centre around large, festive meals on Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) and Christmas Day, featuring regional specialties, abundant seafood, high-quality meats, and a variety of traditional sweets