ECONOMY

Food spending rose almost 4% last year

Food spending rose almost 4% last year

Spending on food grew in 2020 compared with 2019, the Research Institute of Retail Consumer Goods (IELKA) said in a report released on Monday.

The report, based on recent official statistics, said that household spending on food grew 3.88% to 3,481 euros per household in 2020, from €3,351 in 2019.

The increase was biggest in spending on alcohol (17.76%) and household cleaning items (detergents, paper etc, up 11.24%), while spending on personal care fell 9.51% and eating at restaurants dropped 33.45%.

In total, spending on food, including food purchases and dining out, fell 7.22% to €5,083 in 2020.

In the decade 2010-20, household spending on food and beverages was down 10.28%. In the 2016-19 period, per capita spending on food and beverages grew 3.83% to €1,388, while in 2020 spending grew 8.36% to €1,449.

The report said spending on groceries remained below the previous decade’s levels, but spending as a percentage of total household purchases rose.

In 2009, spending on food accounted for 17.3% of average household spending, rising to 23.1% in 2020.

Subscribe to our Newsletters

Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights, opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox.

By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.