Chiclanagir

A few years ago Mercadona changed their supplier of chickens from them the quality went downhill. I have now noticed the mince has a new type label on them. I bought some today and the quality is definitely different. Normally the beef mince is very lean this was quite fatty. It's now in my cottage pie so will see what the taste is like but why do they do it.

amideislas

With respect to chicken, Lidl is about the worst quality. I prefer Eroski's. Seems to be a lot better quality (still).

olivefarmer

Why do they do Mercadona do it?

Quite simple. Profit. They feel they cannot charge more so reduce their price and quality. We stopped buying any chicken product months ago from Mercadona. Ditto now with mince as we too have noticed the change today.

We are very fortunate that we have an independent large supermarket next door and a Lidl down the road. The Independent chicken is double the price but lovely stuff. Lidl is still better for 1st choice fruit and veg and then mop up at Mercadona.

A few years ago they had a great trick with bread. Our loaf cost 60cents. It appeared on the shelves briefly for 70 cents and then had special offer 65 cents ..... DFS furniture watch out.

la mancha

Check exactly how much meat is in the mince. It is an old trick that is used by many supermarkets. Some time ago someone told me something about branded frozen fish and out of curiosity I checked up on some labels in the supermarket. The fish content ranged from 55% to 65%. I know you can get better quality at a price, but whether it is meat or fish, supermarkets ‘fatten’ up the produce with rubbish. As a poster has said, it is all down to profit.

Scribble

Actually some of it was caused by inflation on chicken feed and other stuff.
So, Mercadona might be making the same profit but because the price of chicken went up, they have to reduce the quality to target the same customers.

Having said that, if things go the way of the UK supermarkets, we'll all be eating cardboard soon. I picked up some ready made custard from tesco the other day...on looking at the ingredients at home, there wasn't a single egg in the custard! WTF. I kn ow...I know...I should have just made it myself.

la mancha

If you have time, anyone going into a supermarket tomorrow have a look at some of the labels. You might get a surprise at what the supermarkets are trying to get us to eat.

Chiclanagir

Iwould rather pay more for quality. I mow go to my local market for.chicken 9 euros.for.a whole chickenbit it lasts three meals. Mercadona always had superior meat than Eroskis no.more

Rosemary

I do not buy prepacked meat as I much prefer to buy from my local butchers because I can have exactly what I want in the correct quantity.

Rosemary

big wheels

Our local butcher has had a special offer on for a couple of weeks now.
Whole chickens for €5. Far better quality than the rubbish sold in the supermarkets.

cricketman

Go to your butchers

In Spain there is no reason to buy meat and veg at the supermarket

jo-ann

I agree, I never buy meat or fruit and vegetables in a supermarket, we have a nice local shop which sells both and if I want minced meat I choose what I want and its freshly made there and then for me. Support your local shop is the answere if you want to keep quality.

Chiclanagir

It's the convenience. Having to go in to town to the market. Park up pay parking charges join queue for chicken shop 15 mins later get your chicken pay for your parking then have to go to the supermarket to get the rest of your shopping. Only do it when I need to go into town for other things or once a fortnight when I combine with other jobs.

Bri and Katee

We use Hiperbar supermarkets along with Mas y Mas, in both the meat products are fine, especially in Hiperbar. Both of them will mince your beef as you wait, no prepacked stuff there.

However for the best quality meat there is a Halal butcher whose products are superb, just don't ask for pork as a friend of ours did

andyrich666

Is Chulteon the correct term to ask for Thick Pork Chops, I only ever see them in Al Campo everywhere else is just really thin ones, I want to ask a butcher for thick ones, how would term that correctly, Im not good at ordering meat in UK let alone here, lol

calidana

I have always found the Mercadona "Corto Fino" chicken fillets to be pretty good. They do tend, however, to throw in a few ropey bits at the bottom of the pack which you can't see when you buy them .