Rising Food Costs: Lessons Malta Can Learn from UK Shopping Trends
The €100 weekly shop, once a symbol of manageable living, now highlights the struggles of rising food costs and changing habits amidst the cost-of-living crisis. Across the UK, families are adopting hybrid shopping strategies, combining bulk purchases, smaller trips, and frozen options to stretch budgets. This trend mirrors challenges faced in Malta, where reliance on imported goods and rising inflation call for smarter shopping practices like meal planning, bulk-buying, and prioritizing seasonal, locally sourced produce. Climate change further exacerbates food price volatility, making sustainable choices and plant-based alternatives increasingly relevant. Supporting local farmers, independent grocers, and adopting mindful cooking can help Maltese households adapt. Restaurants in Malta also have an opportunity to promote affordable, sustainable dining, aligning with the island’s Mediterranean culinary identity. By embracing resilience and resourcefulness, Maltese families can navigate these challenges while maintaining health and sustainability in their food choices.
How the €100 Weekly Shop Reflects Rising Costs and Changing Habits – What Malta Can Learn from the UK
A few years ago, €100 could stock up a household for a week. Today, it barely fills a basket. Across social media, shoppers are sharing photos of their groceries, accompanied by captions that range from frustration to disbelief. “€98! At Aldi, no wine, and the only meat is sliced for sandwiches and a chicken to roast. Six months ago, this would have cost €70!” reads one viral post. The so-called “€100 weekly shop,” once a symbol of manageable middle-class living, has transformed into a snapshot of the struggles many face in the current cost-of-living crisis.
This shift has highlighted the rising prices of food essentials and how shopping has become less of a convenience and more of a calculated survival strategy. For Kimberley Coke, a working mother of two in Hertfordshire, the idea of a single weekly shop now seems unfeasible. “We’re so busy with family commitments and kids’ football that our food routine has changed completely,” she says. While commuting to London and juggling household responsibilities, Kimberley and her husband find themselves doing one massive monthly shop, supplemented by frequent top-ups throughout the week.
Kimberley’s shopping habits echo a broader trend emerging in the UK and around the world, including Malta, where families are increasingly adopting hybrid shopping methods. She chooses Sainsbury’s for her primary shop but turns to Aldi and Asda for smaller trips and relies on frozen options for her kids from stores like Food Warehouse. These frozen foods, which include healthy protein options, offer convenience and longevity—an approach Maltese families may consider as part of a more budget-conscious strategy. Even bulk-buying from Costco, once a reliable way to save, has its pitfalls. “Costco is amazing for high-quality items in bulk, but I can easily spend hundreds of euros in one go,” she admits.
The broader picture is clear: food inflation is reshaping how households shop. The British Retail Consortium reports that families are returning to smaller weekly shopping trips supplemented by top-ups. According to the Office for National Statistics, food and non-alcoholic drink inflation rose to 5.1% in August, driven by poor harvests, supply-chain disruptions, and climate-related challenges. This mirrors global trends, which are increasingly relevant to Malta, a country heavily reliant on imported goods. Vegetables, milk, cheese, fish, and meats are among the products experiencing the sharpest price hikes. For Maltese families striving to maintain a healthy diet, these rising costs call for smarter shopping strategies, such as opting for locally sourced produce or prioritizing seasonal ingredients.
Chef Tom Zahir, who lives in East London with his partner and their newborn, has adapted by mixing big online supermarket shops with smaller, spontaneous trips to local stores. His larger shops cover staples such as cereals, dairy, and basic meats, while smaller visits focus on fresh herbs, vegetables, and quality meats from independent butchers. For Maltese food enthusiasts, this approach can serve as inspiration. Supporting independent grocers and farmers markets across Malta not only helps reduce reliance on costly imports but also ensures access to fresher, higher-quality products.
The rise of food inflation has also forced many households into hyper-strategic habits. Zahir explains, “We’ve started bulk-buying for savings—things like cleaning products, baby formula, and even cat litter—sometimes through subscription services.” Maltese families can take a similar approach by exploring bulk-buying options at larger outlets or considering subscription models for household essentials. Meanwhile, meal planning and cross-utilisation of ingredients have become essential for maintaining both budgets and health. For example, one chicken can be stretched across multiple dishes: its breast for salads, legs for tacos, and wings and carcass to create a nutrient-rich stock for soup. This kind of mindful cooking is especially valuable in Malta, where Mediterranean cuisine often lends itself to versatile and wholesome meal preparation.
The impacts of climate change, or “climateflation,” further exacerbate rising food costs. Extreme weather events disrupt harvests, driving up the prices of key ingredients globally. Malta, with its reliance on imported goods, is particularly vulnerable to these ripple effects. Supporting local farmers and producers is not only a sustainable choice but also a way to combat the volatility of international food prices. Additionally, embracing plant-based alternatives, which can be more affordable and environmentally friendly, could align with Malta’s increasing emphasis on health and longevity.
As food prices rise, shoppers are gravitating towards supermarket own-brand products, which now account for over 51% of sales in the UK, up from 50.9% a year ago. This trend resonates with Maltese consumers, who are accustomed to balancing quality and affordability when choosing their weekly essentials. However, for many households, even these budget-friendly options may not be enough. The Food Foundation reports that nearly 14% of UK households—and 17.9% of families with children—experienced food insecurity in early 2025. While Malta’s food security statistics are less dire, the rising cost of living means that careful budgeting and resourcefulness are becoming increasingly important for local families.
The weekly shop, once a comforting ritual, has shifted into an exercise in endurance. Maltese households can learn from international strategies to adapt to these challenges, from better meal planning to embracing frozen foods and bulk-buying. For those with disposable income, prioritising quality over convenience—choosing premium cuts from independent butchers rather than supermarkets—can elevate meals while supporting local businesses. For others, indulgence may come in the form of creative recipes that maximise value, such as soups, casseroles, and other dishes that stretch limited ingredients into nourishing meals.
Ultimately, Malta’s restaurant scene can also play a role in helping diners navigate the shifting food landscape. Restaurants that focus on affordable, healthy options or promote sustainable dining practices can appeal to cost-conscious food lovers seeking balance. Whether through farm-to-table menus or innovative plant-based dishes, Malta’s dining establishments have an opportunity to lead the charge in making healthy, affordable food accessible to all.
The story of the €100 weekly shop isn’t just about rising prices—it’s about resilience. For Maltese families, adapting to these changes means embracing smarter shopping habits, supporting local producers, and prioritising health and sustainability in their choices. By turning challenges into opportunities, Malta can stay ahead of the curve and ensure that healthy living remains attainable for everyone.