World Prawn Day: cheaper since the pandemic, but more expensive than a decade ago

On December 21, World Prawn Day is celebrated to highlight the Christmas tradition of this crustacean that is consumed throughout the world. It’s Spain, we eat it with garlic, grilled or cooked. And there are disputes about whether the best ones are in Huelva, Denia, Palamós. White or red? Everyone has their own tastes, but it is clear that you have to compare prices before buying to save on your Christmas shopping basket.

The escalation in the cost of food in 2023 is also reflected in typical Christmas products, even with the VAT reduction, which Sánchez has already announced will be extended until June 2024. Thus, consumers are looking for formulas to manage their Christmas expenses , such as Buying in advance or choosing cheaper alternatives, while keeping traditions on the table.

How much have shrimp become more expensive?

Prawns, and seafood in general, are not the Christmas products that have become most expensive in recent years. According to Mercasa data, the average price of shrimp on December 19 in the markets is €23.80/kg. Throughout 2023, the cheapest average price has been in Mercasevilla, at €20.65/kg, while in Mercabilbao they have been much more expensive, at €30.45/kg. In Mercavalencia, Mercamadrid and Mercabarna they have cost almost €22, €23 and €25/kg of medium, respectively, throughout the year.

If we compare this price (€23.80/kg) with that of previous years, we see that they are somewhat cheaper. In 2022, the average price of shrimp in the markets was close to €28/kg.

You have to go until 2019, before the pandemic, to find a cheaper price for shrimp. Then, the price in the markets was (€23.12/kg). That is, after three years of increases, in 2023 the price has been reduced. In all previous years since Mercasa shows the data (2007), the cost of shrimp has always moved between €19 and €25/kg, except in 2022.

Average price of shrimp in the markets.

Shrimp consumption plummets: 16 million less than a decade ago

The seafood sector has shown slow growth in recent years; in fact, shrimp consumption has decreased. Consumers are increasingly selective in their purchasing decisions, seeking to find a balance between traditional dishes and the budget, always taking into account the notable increase in basic foods.

This made Christmas 2022 the most austere of the century, waiting for what happened in 2023. According to data from Statista, 78 million shrimp were consumed in Spanish homes in Spain. They are 12 million less than in 2021 and 16 million less than a decade ago, in 2013. Despite this, it remains the most consumed seafood in Spain

The products that have become increasingly more expensive at Christmas

The OCU has made a price comparison of Christmas products from the first days of December to the dates before Christmas. Analyzing around twenty foods, they have become more expensive by just over 4% compared to 2022. According to this study, barnacles, clams and hake are the ones that have become more expensive in one year, with an increase of more than 20%. Oysters, sea bass and ham are close to 10%.

The data is more striking compared to 2015. Sea bream and clams have doubled their price. Hake costs 74% more and lamb has become 50% more expensive. The OCU concludes that Christmas foods “are now more expensive than they have ever been, and that, in general, on average, Christmas products around December 10 are more than 47% more expensive than they were on December 10 December 2015.”