Castilla-La Mancha consumer price report shows uneven grocery costs

A report from the Consumer Price Observatory of Castilla-La Mancha, produced by the University of Castilla-La Mancha in collaboration with CAVE-CLM, reveals significant price fluctuations in a basic basket of 61 products during September.

Fresh produce shows high volatility. Prices for zucchini, broccoli, and cucumber rose by 24.7%, 22.9%, and 21.9% respectively, while table oranges increased by 18.6%. Conversely, seedless green grapes saw the largest decrease at 21.5%, followed by lemons and yellow peaches, both dropping by 13.8%.

The meat sector remained largely stable, though lamb chops saw a nearly 4% increase. The study highlights significant price dispersion between different supermarkets; for certain items like green beans, broccoli, and oranges, the cost can vary by as much as double depending on the chosen retailer. Fish and pantry staples generally showed favorable trends for household budgets, including price drops for anchovies and olive oil.