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If you’ve done a food shop recently, you might’ve noticed your fruit and veg bill creeping up, and you're certainly not alone.

 

The cost of fresh fruit and vegetables has jumped by a staggering 18% in the past year, making it one of the most dramatic price increases in Spain’s shopping baskets. That’s according to the latest data from the Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU), which tracks the prices of more than 100 everyday items every month.

 

To get a fair view of what people are actually paying, the OCU compares prices across eight of the country’s biggest supermarket chains, including Mercadona, Carrefour, Lidl and El Corte Inglés.

 

What they found this July was a mixed bag. Alongside the huge spike in fruit and veg, meat and deli items have gone up by 10%. Dairy has climbed 3% and drugstore and hygiene products by just 1%.

 

On the other side of the scale, drinks are actually 3% cheaper than they were a year ago. Fish has dropped by 4% and pantry staples like pasta and rice are down by 7%.

 

Still, the overall trend for fresh produce is clear and it’s doing nothing good for our bank balances. Lemons have seen the steepest price jump of all, up 62% since last summer.

 

They’re followed by conference pears, up 31%, onions at 29% and salad tomatoes, which now cost 22% more than they did a year ago. Potatoes are one of the few exceptions, down by 6%.

 

The OCU says it’s struggling to explain the “spectacular” price increases, especially given that Spain is one of Europe’s biggest fruit and vegetable producers, although climate change is likely one of the driving forces. In a recent survey, 93% of consumers said they believe extreme weather is already affecting food prices.

 

Between droughts, floods and rising temperatures, harvests are becoming less predictable and more expensive to produce.

 

There’s also the broader economic context to consider. The latest figures show inflation is creeping up again after a few months of stability, with global conflict and rising fuel prices putting fresh pressure on supply chains.

 

It’s not just fruit and veg feeling the heat. Food overall is 2.8% more expensive than it was in June, and many essential items are still rising faster than wages.

 

There is some good news for shoppers. After hitting record highs last year, olive oil prices have come down sharply, thanks to better harvests and government VAT cuts. But those price drops are the exception rather than the rule.

 

The OCU says food prices are still 36% higher than they were three years ago and it’s calling for stronger action. The group wants VAT on basic goods slashed again to previous levels and is urging the government to classify meat and fish as essential products so they can qualify for the reduced 4% rate, instead of the 10% currently in place.

 

For now, though, it looks like fresh produce will remain one of the priciest parts of the weekly shop.

 

 

Image: Pixabay