Grocery inflation: here’s how France compares to Spain at checkout

With inflation biting into household budgets across Europe, many families living near the French-Spanish border are tempted to cross the Pyrenees in search of better bargains. But does shopping abroad really save money? A comparison of two supermarkets—one in Perpignan and one in Figueres—reveals a mixed picture.

Inflation is everywhere

Both countries are grappling with rising prices. In October, inflation reached 6.2% in France and 7.3% in Spain. For border residents, this raises a natural question: is it worth driving 50 kilometres for cheaper groceries? The answer depends largely on what’s in your shopping basket.

Fruits: Spain’s clear advantage

When it comes to fresh produce, Spain has the upper hand. A litre of orange juice in Figueres costs just €0.99, compared to €1.75 in France—a reflection of Spain’s dominant role in the global citrus market. Grapes are also cheaper (€1.85 for 500 g in Spain vs. €3 in France), as are bananas (€1.39 per kilo compared to €1.99) and cherry tomatoes (€1.39 for 250 g compared to €2 for a smaller French pack).

As one Spanish shopper, Béa, noted while picking tomatoes: “Prices have risen here too, but fresh fruit and vegetables are still affordable enough that you can eat well without breaking the bank.”

Pasta and staples: France wins big

The story flips when you enter the dry goods aisle. A pack of Barilla spaghetti costs €0.99 in France but nearly double—€1.90—in Spain. The same goes for canned goods: Cassegrain peas and carrots cost €2.49 in Perpignan, compared to €4.19 across the border. Even rice is marginally cheaper in France, at €0.89 per kilo versus €1.09 in Spain.

As Béa pointed out, “Staples like pasta don’t seem expensive, but those extra cents add up by the end of the month.”

Meat: Spain’s unbeatable prices

If there’s one category where Spain dominates, it’s meat. In Figueres, 900 g of ground beef costs €5.17—while in France, 500 g costs €7.30. The price difference is striking enough to make some French shoppers fill entire carts. Franck, a French father, explained: “With meat this cheap, the petrol cost of crossing the border is more than worth it.”

Other examples confirm the trend: sliced ham is €3.73 in Spain versus €5.59 in France, and extra virgin olive oil sells for €6 per litre in Spain compared to €7 in France.

The final tally

After scanning the same set of products, the totals came to €62.52 in France and €59.22 in Spain. Not exactly a game-changing difference, but the contrasts within categories are stark: France is better for pasta, rice and coffee; Spain shines when it comes to meat and fresh produce.

There is, however, a bigger picture to consider. According to the OECD, average wages in Spain are 20–30% lower than in France. So while Spanish shoppers may pay slightly less for food, their overall purchasing power remains weaker than that of their French neighbours.

For border residents, the decision of where to shop may come down to priorities: stock up on spaghetti in France, or load the car with Spanish oranges and beef. Either way, the Pyrenees have never looked more like an economic fault line.