Sauces and condiments 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 – sauces and condiments – 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 Sauces and condiments Prices Rose (+35.8%)
Across the EU, sauces and condiments prices were about 35.8% higher in December 2024 than in January 2021. It sits clearly above the EU average for food and drink. For households that buy sauces and condiments regularly, this increase is felt directly at the checkout.
InfoCons Consumer Protection – How sauces and condiments compares with the food average. Based on the data from the Consumer Conditions Scoreboard 2025.
InfoCons Consumer Protection – Sauces and condiments vs the Average Shopping Basket
The average increase for all food and non-alcoholic drinks over this period was about 31.9%. At +35.8%, sauces and condiments rose more than the typical food product – one of the larger increases in the basket.
InfoCons Consumer Protection – Why Sauces and condiments Prices Went Up
Sauces and condiments are made from many ingredients – oils, vegetables, sugar and spices – and sold in glass or plastic packaging. Higher costs for these inputs, plus energy for processing and transport, pushed prices up across the board.
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. Larger jars and own-brand sauces usually offer a better price per 100g.
Signature: InfoCons Consumer Protection Department