Spain's diet increasingly dominated by ultra‑processed foods despite modest fresh produce growth

A study by the Fundación Española de Nutrición and the Ministry of Agriculture shows that ultra‑processed foods provide between 30% and 40% of the daily energy intake of Spaniards, exceeding 50% among adolescents and young adults. The most consumed products are sugary carbonated drinks—purchased by more than 70% of households each month and generating over €2 billion in annual sales—followed by packaged industrial pastries and processed meats such as sliced ham and mortadella.

In parallel, an Aldi‑commissioned observatory reports that the volume of fresh‑product purchases rose 1.4% in 2025, representing 35% of the grocery basket and 44% of household food budgets. Supermarkets remain the primary channel, accounting for 59% of fresh‑product sales, with short‑range assortments capturing a third of total fresh sales. Consumers are shopping more frequently (about 197 visits per year) but buying smaller baskets, indicating greater planning to control costs and reduce waste.

Together, the data reveal a Spanish diet where ultra‑processed items remain prevalent, while fresh‑food consumption continues a modest upward trend amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty.