In recent weeks, Spaniards have increasingly faced an unexpected problem: by evening, it’s nearly impossible to find fresh vegetables, fruit, or meat on the shelves of Mercadona supermarkets. For many city dwellers who can only shop after work, this situation is a real challenge. It’s not just an inconvenience — it’s a matter of access to fresh food for millions of families whose work schedules prevent them from shopping during the day.
The issue drew widespread attention after dozens of shoppers from different regions of the country shared their stories on social media. People note that by 6:00 p.m., the fruit, vegetable, and chilled meat sections are almost empty, even though stores stay open until 9:30 p.m. In some cases, the selection of fresh goods disappears even earlier, and staff begin clearing leftovers well before official closing time.
Widespread complaints
On X (formerly Twitter), users are actively voicing their frustration. One customer wrote: “Why is it impossible to buy fruit, vegetables, or meat at Mercadona after six in the evening? The store is open until nine thirty.” Similar posts appear every day, with many noting that this situation has been repeating for several weeks.
Some shoppers suggest that the cause is high demand, which is not being met by sufficient stock. Others believe this reflects a new company policy aimed at optimizing logistics or reducing spending on storage for perishable goods. In any case, those who have to shop in the evening face a very limited choice.
Mercadona’s Response
Mercadona’s official representatives have joined the discussion. In response to numerous complaints, the company has promised to conduct an internal review to find out why fresh products disappear from shelves long before stores close. In their communication with customers, staff ask for specific store addresses and the time when the issue occurred, so they can quickly resolve the situation.
However, many customers are convinced this is not an isolated issue, but a systemic problem. Comments on social media note that this situation is observed in almost every district, regardless of city or region. “It’s not just in our neighborhood, it’s across the whole country,” write users from Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Zaragoza.
Impact on Shoppers
For working Spaniards who can shop only in the evenings, the disappearance of fresh products has become a serious issue. Many note that they have to change their habits, look for alternative stores, or buy frozen products instead of fresh ones. The problem is especially acute in densely populated areas, where the demand for fresh food is traditionally higher.
In some cases, customers complain that staff start removing items from the shelves as early as 5:30 p.m., which causes additional frustration. “We leave work and can’t even buy apples or chicken,” say residents of Zaragoza and Valencia. On social media, people discuss how this practice could lead to a loss of customer loyalty and a shift towards competitors.
Public response
Discussion about the situation at Mercadona goes beyond individual complaints. Entire threads are emerging on social networks, where users share photos of empty shelves and talk about their attempts to find fresh goods in the evening. Some suggest boycotting the stores, while others demand public explanations from the management and immediate changes to the product availability policy.
While Mercadona representatives limit themselves to promises to address the issue, customers continue to face the same difficulties. Whether the situation will change anytime soon remains an open question. Meanwhile, the topic of fresh food disappearing by evening has become one of the most talked-about among Spanish consumers.
