For medical reasons, such as celiac disease or gluten intolerance, many consumers have no choice but to spend much more on equivalent products that contain wheat.
In Spain, this difference was most noticeable in baked goods and pastries; consumers with celiac disease and gluten intolerance paid 1.19 euros for 100 grams of gluten-free muffins, while 100 grams of regular muffins cost 0.96 euros.
These prices resulted in an annual expenditure of close to 1,000 euros extra on gluten-free products relative to regular wheat goods.Â
Finding gluten-free options: no longer mission impossible in Spain
Spain is becoming gradually more aware of the dietary requirements of gluten-intolerant people and those who suffer from celiac disease. This trend is reflected in the number of restaurants with celiac and gluten intolerant-friendly options, which in 2024 amounted to 567 in the Spanish capital, making the Community of Madrid the region of Spain that featured the highest amount of this type of establishment. On the other hand, Andalusia topped the list of bars with gluten-free options, clocking up 56 during the same period.
Dwindling numbers in bread consumption in Spain
Bread consumption in Spain is on the decline, according to the latest figures. Spanish households have cut down bread consumption by approximately 500 million kilograms in the last decade, with a record volume of almost two billion kilograms in 2008 down to 1.4 billion kilograms in 2021. Fresh bread is Spain’s favorite, with the consumption of this type of baked good amounting to close to 9.6 million kilograms in 2021.