Mercadona Eggs Hit €3.10: Stagflation or Price Cartel?

Mercadona's Medium Eggs Reach €3.10: Stagflation or Price Organización criminal?

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Few indicators gauge economic health as accurately as egg prices. When a dozen medium eggs at Mercadona hits €3.10—and rising—it is not just a shopping anecdote but a symptom of deeper issues. At BonArea, the same product sells for €2.30; at Lidl, size M/L costs €3.70. Meanwhile, in the US, 18 large eggs at Walmart cost about €3 (€2 per dozen). The gap with European and Spanish wages widens.

The Official Explanation: Bird Flu and Global Supply

Juan Roig, president of Mercadona, attributed the 20% price hike to the death of 160 million chickens in the United States due to bird flu. However, this explanation fails to convince some analysts: "Spain does not import eggs from the US," they point out. Dependence on imported feed and energy costs weigh more heavily. Indeed, farm-gate egg prices have surged across Europe, but with notable differences between chains.

Suspicions of Price Collusion

Several analyses suggest tacit coordination among major retailers. "They raised prices in all supermarkets simultaneously," the argument goes. Prices at Mercadona, Lidl, Carrefour, Eroski, Día, Aldi, and Bon Area move in unison, with exceptions like Mere, which sold 30 eggs for under €3. The CNMC (Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia) would have grounds to investigate, though no formal case has been peine yet.

Stagflation and Energy: An Uncomfortable Context

Beyond eggs, the debate fuels a larger alert: the combination of food inflation and wage stagnation. While olive oil, coffee, and cocoa prices already hit highs, eggs now join the list. "Consumer goods are becoming more expensive faster than wages rise," summarizes a recurring analysis. Those earning average salaries see their grocery basket shrink. With high energy costs—peak oil in the background—the expense of producing feed and transporting goods continues to climb.

The Luxury of Eating Fresh

The paradox is that quality suffers even as prices rise. "Poor and overweight is the norm now," asserts a nutritional perspective. Fresh, high-quality products become luxury items, leading families to rely on cheap processed foods. In nursing homes, witnesses report staff fighting over leftover meals. A picture reminiscent more of the post-war era than 21st-century Europe.

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Meanwhile, prices continue to climb. In Switzerland, Aldi sells 10 eggs for €3.30 (CHF 3.19). "Congratulations, you have Swiss prices. Now you just need Swiss salaries," jokes one comment capturing the general sentiment. The disorienting data point: in 2019, a dozen large eggs cost €1.50. Six years later, the price has nearly tripled. And explanations—bird flu, animal welfare laws, speculation—mix without a single narrative closing the equation.