Cashier Shock Continues in the Market: Basic Basket Exceeds 253 Euros

I really wonder if there is anyone in Portugal who goes grocery shopping and looks at that receipt at the checkout and is not surprised. The feeling of expensiveness we felt when examining the prices in front of the shelves was also registered with the latest figures announced. The basket of 63 basic products, which is regularly monitored by the consumer protection association Deco PROteste, jumped to 253.55 Euros as of mid-August.

In just one week, almost 1.5 Euros have been added to the basket. The most annoying part is the long term of the work; Since the beginning of 2022, our basic kitchen costs have increased by 35%.

Weekly Raise Champion: Canned Tuna

Even in a single week between August 12-19, we clearly see how the tags play out:

Tuna with vegetable oil: A box increased by 16% to 1.59 Euros in a single week.

Cake flour and beans: Both increased by 10% to 1.83 Euros and 1.50 Euros respectively.

Ground coffee: increased by 9% to 4.83 Euros.

Flamengo cheese and whole grains: increased by 8%; packaged cheese increased to 2.70 euros and cereals increased to 4.40 euros.

Fresh fish and meat section: Sea bream (dourada) increased by 7% to 9.98 Euros per kilo, and whiting reached 11.09 Euros.

Fish and Meat are on the Way to Becoming Luxury on the Table

When we rewind a little further and look at last year or the beginning of 2022, the picture becomes much clearer. The indispensable items of our traditional table are now the most expensive pens:

Large cod (Bacalhau graúdo): It increased by 24% compared to last year and by 85% compared to the beginning of 2022, reaching 19.56 Euros per kilo.

Fresh fish: Sea bass reached 10.06 euros per kilo (22% annual increase), black swordfish (espada preto) reached 11.43 euros.

Boiled beef: While it was 5.82 Euros per kilo at the beginning of 2022, today it is sold for 12.76 Euros, with a record increase of 119%.

Cabbage (Couve coração): Even the humble name of the vegetable section has increased by 95% since 2022, reaching 1.94 Euros per kilo.

Eggs and turkey: Eggs have increased by 80% since 2022, and turkey steak has increased by 69%.

It is now necessary to think twice when filling the basket and navigate more carefully between the aisles. This steady increase in staple food continues to put a direct strain on kitchen budgets.

Source: Deco PROteste / Cátia Colaço (Idealista)

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