A sharp drop in food prices at Spain’s largest supermarket chain Mercadona has become a significant event for millions of families. Since the beginning of 2026, the company has revised prices for hundreds of products, which immediately impacted shoppers’ budgets. At a time when food expenses remain one of the main items in household spending, such changes have particular importance for residents across the country.
According to RUSSPAIN, during the first three months of the year, 300 food items became cheaper at Mercadona. This is not just a marketing move—these are real changes on the shelves. The price reduction is linked to cheaper raw materials, allowing for new pricing on popular goods. The list includes both seasonal vegetables and items in daily demand.
Impact on the market
Adjustments to the prices of foods such as fresh strawberries, oil, rice, and eggs have drawn particular attention. For example, the price per kilo of artichokes dropped by more than 60% and now stands at 1.9 euros. Strawberries became 41% cheaper, selling at 5 euros per kilo. Oil is now 37% more affordable, with its price also set at 5 euros. These figures stand out against the overall price levels in the country’s supermarkets.
Other notable products include the store’s own-brand milk chocolate, now priced at 1.5 euros—17% less than before. Sliced Gouda cheese dropped 8.5% and now sells for 2.15 euros. Hacendado long-grain rice is now 1.25 euros per kilo, which is 7.4% below its previous price. Large eggs are also more affordable: their price decreased by 3%, now costing 3.2 euros per dozen.
Reasons for the changes
The Mercadona management explains these measures as a result of lower raw material costs and their commitment to the SPB (Siempre Precios Bajos) strategy. This policy aims to ensure customers always find affordable prices in stores without temporary promotions. In 2025, the company invested €1.7 billion in expanding production capacity, introducing new lines and warehouses, and widened its assortment by adding 400 new products and 34 innovative items.
These investments and changes in logistics made it possible to review prices for many products. As RUSSPAIN notes, such decisions affect not only customers but also competitors, forcing them to respond to new market conditions. For Spanish families, this means the opportunity to save on daily shopping without sacrificing quality.
Trends and consequences
Price reductions at Mercadona may signal other chains to also adjust their pricing strategies. In recent years, the Spanish food market has faced rising prices due to inflation and increased raw material costs. Now, as the situation changes, shoppers have a chance to re-evaluate their habits and seek out better deals.
Recalling similar cases, it is worth noting that in 2024, several major chains had already attempted temporary price reductions on certain product categories. However, such a large-scale and systematic approach as that of Mercadona had not been seen before. Now, we are witnessing a long-term strategy that could reshape household spending patterns and impact overall market dynamics.
In recent years, Spanish supermarkets have occasionally announced price reductions on selected products, but such a sweeping and simultaneous lowering of several key items is rare. Usually, these steps occur during periods of decreasing inflation or after successful procurement of raw materials. For example, in 2023, some chains reduced prices on fruits and vegetables following a strong harvest, but back then the changes were less noticeable to consumers. The current situation stands out for its scale and the range of products affected.
