The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has published its long-awaited annual study of supermarket prices in Spain, showing once again the huge difference between chains and cities when it comes to filling the shopping basket. The report reveals that, by choosing well where to shop, a family can save more than 1,100 € per year, with differences that, in cities like Madrid, exceed even 4,200 € per year between the cheapest and the most expensive supermarket. This means more than 350 € of potential savings each month depending on the establishment, a key figure in a context of high food prices.
The OCU report stresses that the shopping basket continues to get more expensive: in 2025, fresh food rose on average by 8%, while the overall basket of food, drugstore and hygiene products grew by 3% over the previous year. For the past four years, consumers have been experiencing significant increases that threaten family finances and, in particular, access to a healthy diet. Commodities such as coffee, eggs or fruit have doubled in price since 2021, while, although some foods have cushioned the rise (olive oil fell, but remains 57% more expensive than in 2021), price reductions are rare and punctual.
Where are the cheapest supermarkets?
The OCU has compared prices of 241 products in 183 cities, applying a benchmark index to identify the cheapest establishments. The hypermarket Alcampo leads as the cheapest in 42 cities, followed by regional chains such as Dani, although it only has a limited presence in the south, Consum, Lidl, Supeco, Family Cash and Aldi. On the other hand, Sánchez Romero is the most expensive chain visited this year. In addition, the OCU portal offers a search engine to find the most affordable supermarket according to the address and the usual shopping basket, thus facilitating the decision of consumers.
The average cost of the so-called “OCU basket” for a Spanish household is €6,259, although the figure varies drastically depending on the location and supermarket chosen. In the city of Madrid, the difference between the most expensive and the cheapest supermarket is more than 4,200 € per year, and in other major cities such as Barcelona, Vigo, León or Gijón the possible savings are between 1,800 € and 2,000 €.
The OCU insists on the need to extend the VAT rebate also to products such as meat and fish, in addition to increasing the food check for vulnerable families and strengthen controls in the sector to prevent speculation and protect the consumer.