For the Christmas meal, certain dishes are essential: foie gras, oysters, smoked salmon or even chocolate. However, each year their price varies as the holidays approach.
Every Christmas, shopping for the festive meal is a real headache, between the desire to treat yourself and the prices displayed at this time in supermarkets. According to a survey Cofidis in partnership with CSA Research, the average budget that the French will grant for the menu this year is 132 euros, or 12 euros more than last year. Conversely, they plan to spend less on gifts or decorations. However, whether it is salmon, foie gras, oysters or chocolate, all of these Christmas products are expensive. So how do you choose the best products?
For some of these products deemed “luxurious”, alternatives exist. Instead of salmon, you can opt for trout or replace the champagne with sparkling wine. Many French people have already used it: this is the observation that was made after last Christmas. According to the specialist institute NielsenIQ, sales of smoked salmon had fallen by 6.7% at the end of 2023, while those of smoked trout had increased by 11%. That being said, rest assured, you will not have to look for alternatives for all Christmas products, some will see their prices drop this year compared to 2023. So these are the ones you will have to choose!
In any case, this is what Dominique Schelcher, CEO of Cooperative U, said as the holidays approached. BFMTV. Among the festive elements, it is notably foie gras which will be a good deal at the end of the year. “Foie gras will be significantly down this year, by around 5 to 6%,” indicated the boss of U. The supply is returning to normal after two years of avian flu, with availability 33% higher this year. year. To buy foie gras cheaper, it is also advisable to buy it in advance to avoid seeing its price rise as the big day approaches. It is a product that keeps very well in the freezer.
Another product that must be selected this year: oysters. “The hamper” will be cheaper this year. Producers are slashing prices to sell off stocks, which are full following a drop in consumption of this seafood. This price drop could go up to 60% compared to last year.
Conversely, it is on sweet things that you will have to limit yourself, particularly chocolate. “Christmas chocolates are currently on sale, it’s getting off to a difficult start because the price has increased by 5 to 6%,” admitted Dominique Schelcher. Chocolate is suffering from the surge in raw material prices following difficult harvests in West Africa.