Meat and seafood lead the price hikes. Credit: Gordito1869 / Creative Commons
The cost of a typical Christmas shopping basket continues to rise year after year, and this December is no exception. According to the latest data from Spain’s Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU), festive foods have increased in price by 10 per cent in just one month, with six products reaching historic highs. On average, prices are 4 per cent higher than last year at this time and a staggering 59 per cent more expensive than a decade ago.
Meat and seafood lead the price hikes
The OCU study analysed 16 products in high demand during the festive season, including suckling lamb, pularda, turkey, sea bass, red bream, baby eels, barnacles, oysters and Iberian ham. Barnacles recorded the sharpest rise, up 56 per cent, followed by clams (43 per cent), whole pularda (26 per cent), cut hake (20 per cent) and red bream (17 per cent).
Other notable increases include whole turkey and baby eels (8 per cent), Iberian ham and beef round (6 per cent), frozen prawns (4 per cent), quartered lamb (3 per cent) and sea bass (2 per cent). In contrast, some products remained stable or even fell in price: pomegranate held steady, while oysters (down 16 per cent), pineapple (down 13 per cent) and red cabbage (down 4 per cent) became cheaper.
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A more expensive Christmas than ever
Unlike previous years, price rises are affecting mainly meats, while fish and seafood have seen smaller increases. Poultry prices, in particular, may be impacted by avian flu. Among products reaching record highs are Iberian ham at €71.71/kg, suckling lamb at €23.85/kg, and beef round at €21.34/kg, compared with pomegranate at €3.19/kg and pineapple at €1.89/kg.
Tips for saving
The OCU advises shoppers to take advantage of special offers and consider buying frozen products, which are generally cheaper. Despite the price rises, poultry remains the most affordable meat option in Spain’s Christmas basket.
The price study was carried out across municipal markets, supermarkets and large stores in Spanish cities including Albacete, Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Málaga, Sevilla and Valencia, providing a clear picture of what it costs to celebrate Christmas in Spain.
Christmas prices in Spain over the years
Historically, Christmas food prices in Spain have shown a steady upward trend. Over the past ten years, the cost of a typical festive basket has risen by nearly 60 per cent, with meat and seafood usually leading the increases. Although the exact rate varies each year, seasonal products such as turkey, pularda and suckling lamb often see the sharpest rises in December, while some fruits and vegetables remain stable or even fall in price. This long-term perspective allows Spanish consumers to anticipate costs and adjust their holiday shopping accordingly.
About the OCU
The OCU, Spain’s leading consumer organisation, has been monitoring food prices for decades, providing independent data and advice to help shoppers make informed choices. Its annual studies of festive products offer a detailed view of price trends, quality and availability, ensuring that consumers can plan their Christmas menus without surprises. By tracking both seasonal and premium products, the OCU highlights which items are most affected by market fluctuations and offers practical tips for saving money.