Pasta products and couscous Prices in Europe: How Much More Are Consumers Paying Since 2021?
Cost of Living · Based on the data from the Consumer Conditions Scoreboard 2025
Between 2021 and 2024 the price of everyday food climbed sharply across Europe, but not every product rose by the same amount. This InfoCons Consumer Protection guide focuses on one of them – pasta products and couscous – and shows exactly how much more consumers are paying, and how it compares with the rest of the shopping basket.
InfoCons Consumer Protection – How Much Pasta products and couscous Prices Rose (+34.6%)
Across the EU, pasta products and couscous prices were about 34.6% higher in December 2024 than in January 2021. It rose by close to a third over the period. For households that buy pasta products and couscous regularly, this increase is felt directly at the checkout.
InfoCons Consumer Protection – How pasta products and couscous compares with the food average. Based on the data from the Consumer Conditions Scoreboard 2025.
InfoCons Consumer Protection – Pasta products and couscous vs the Average Shopping Basket
The average increase for all food and non-alcoholic drinks over this period was about 31.9%. At +34.6%, pasta products and couscous rose roughly in line with the typical food product.
InfoCons Consumer Protection – Why Pasta products and couscous Prices Went Up
Pasta and couscous are made mainly from wheat. Higher prices for wheat and durum, together with the energy used in milling, drying and packaging, pushed up the cost of these everyday staples.
Prices for this product also rose by very different amounts from one EU country to another, reflecting differences in local supply, taxes, competition and how much each step of production depends on energy.
InfoCons Consumer Protection – What This Means for You as a Consumer
You can soften the impact with a few simple habits. InfoCons Consumer Protection encourages consumers to compare the unit price (price per kilo or per litre) rather than the price on the front of the pack, try own-brand versions, watch for “shrinkflation” where the pack gets smaller for the same price, and buy in the right quantity to avoid waste. Own-brand pasta is usually very similar in quality – compare the price per kilo.
Signature: InfoCons Consumer Protection Department