Although people seek to have a better expense for dinners, the uncomfortable guest is inflation, which throughout the year has been a headache for Mexican buyers. It was only in November that it eased a bit and stood at 7.8%, its lowest level in six months.
Families are aware that this year Christmas and New Year’s dinners will be among the most expensive, at least in the last decade. About 30% consider that they will increase their spending for dinners during this season, according to a survey conducted by Planning Quant.
Iván Castro, director of the firm, comments that although there are some signs of recovery compared to past years, when the covid-19 was raging, Mexicans do have plans to open their wallets at this time, with a better spending distribution.
“Families are thinking of making some adjustments in their expenses, but the most of the budgets will be concentrated on foodwhich is where people plan to spend more, which is logical given the price increases,” he says.
Maneuvers to save are also present. The interviewees, for example, compare prices to make some savings and establish the budgets that they will spend on dinners.
However, in the offer there are prices for everyone. In the San Joaquín market, in the Peralvillo neighborhood, a kilo of pork leg costs 100 pesos, while in Soriana and Walmart it costs 129 pesos.
However, in chains supermarkets Until now it is not possible to find classic seasonal ingredients, such as rosemary, but they already have the classic turkeys in their refrigerators, which are hardly seen in the markets.
Adjust the budget
“Two thirds of the population have to adjust all their expenses in some way. Some plan to buy fewer gifts but not dinner,” says Castro. Although in some cases, with reduced pockets, there are also those who think change menu to spend less.
At Romero’s house they plan to spend 2,500 pesos, the same as last year, although they will forget the turkey. “This year we will make pozole and tostadas instead of leg, it’s cheaper for us and it’s enough for everyone,” says Alejandra.
These maneuvers allow Mexicans to avoid the rise in prices that have given no respite to some products, such as eggs, which increased 27.7%; chicken, which rose 17.2%, and pork, which rose 12.6%, according to the Consumer Price Index made by the Inegi.
Although there are families that will definitely spend more, they will maintain the tradition of the classic Christmas dinner. Rosario Luna comments that this year they will spend 4,000 pesos at Christmas dinner for 12 people. Last year, the family budget was 3,000 pesos.
“We cannot buy less, because it is not enough. You have to think about the overheating,” he concludes.