Germans spend an average of 11.8% of their disposable income on food – for a family of four, that's easily €700 or more per month. According to the Federal Statistical Office, food prices have risen continuously in recent years, putting further pressure on household budgets. But with the right strategies and tools, you can save real money on grocery shopping without sacrificing quality and enjoyment.
Current Food Prices in Germany: An Assessment
Food prices in Germany have somewhat stabilized after the sharp price increases of recent years, but remain at a high level. Consumers particularly feel price increases in dairy products (+3.1% last year), fresh fruits and vegetables (+2.8%), and meat and fish (+2.4%).
The average weekly shopping for a family currently costs between €110 and €140 – with an upward trend. With smart shopping strategies and modern digital tools, you can reduce this amount by 15-25% – which corresponds to annual savings of up to €1,800! Here you'll learn how to implement this specifically.
Digital Helpers: The Best Savings Apps for Your Shopping
These proven apps help you save money specifically on grocery shopping:
1. Too Good To Go
This successful European app fights food waste and helps you save up to 70% on shopping. The principle: Local bakeries, supermarkets, restaurants, and cafes offer leftover food at greatly reduced prices that would otherwise be thrown away.
Special feature: The "surprise bags" typically cost between €3 and €6 but contain goods worth €9 to €18. Bags from bakeries and supermarkets are particularly worthwhile.
Savings: Users save an average of 66% compared to regular purchase prices. With regular use (2x per week), the savings add up to about €50-80 monthly.
Source: Too Good To Go Germany
2. Lidl Plus, PAYBACK & Co.
The digital loyalty programs of major supermarket chains and discounters have long replaced traditional discount stamps and paper coupons. Apps like Lidl Plus, PAYBACK (for Rewe, dm, etc.), the Netto app, or Kaufland Card offer personalized discounts and coupons directly to your smartphone.
Special feature: By combining several programs and strategically using digital coupons, the savings can be substantial. Particularly the Lidl Plus app with its coupons and receipt rebate (when reaching certain purchase amounts) as well as the PAYBACK coupons in combination with points have proven to be especially worthwhile.
Savings: Depending on usage intensity, between 5% and 15% of total expenditure. A family of four can easily save €30-60 per month this way.
3. Bring!
This popular shopping list app goes far beyond simply noting purchases. With integrated flyers, automatic categories, and the ability to share lists with family members, Bring! helps you shop more structured and therefore more economically.
Special feature: The app shows current offers from participating markets directly in your shopping list. Additionally, the clear categorization helps reduce impulse purchases.
Savings: Studies show that structured shopping with a list reduces impulse purchases by up to 23%. With a monthly food budget of €600, that corresponds to savings of around €140 per month.
Source: Bring! Labs AG
Discounter vs. Supermarket: What's Worth It in 2025?
The landscape of food retailers has changed. Here's a current comparison based on price analyses from consumer portals:
Discounters: New Strengths and Weaknesses
Discounters like Aldi, Lidl, and Netto have significantly expanded their range, especially for organic products and regional specialties. According to current surveys by Stiftung Warentest, the average price difference compared to traditional supermarkets is still about 11-15%.
Concrete price examples (average values):
- 500g organic pasta: €1.19 (discounter) vs. €1.69 (supermarket)
- 250g German brand butter: €2.19 (discounter) vs. €2.45 (supermarket)
- 1kg apples (German season): €2.29 (discounter) vs. €2.79 (supermarket)
Smart savings: Basic food items, cleaning products, and hygiene products are still significantly cheaper at discounters. For meat, fish, and exotic fruits, the price difference is smaller – here it's worth comparing.
Source: Current price comparisons from consumer organizations and own market research
Supermarkets: The New Discount Strategies
Traditional supermarkets like Rewe, Edeka, and Kaufland have caught up with their own savings strategies:
- Evening discounts: Many supermarkets reduce perishable goods in the evening. According to a study by the Consumer Advice Center, the discounts can range between 30% and 50%.
- Customer card programs: The digital loyalty programs offer personalized discounts of 5-20% on selected products.
- Price guarantees: Some chains now offer price guarantees on basic products that can keep up with discounter prices.
Smart savings: Use supermarkets specifically for their evening discounts and personalized offers. A family can easily save €30-50 per month through strategic shopping at reduced evening prices.
Source: Consumer portals and price tracking analyses
The Current Seasonal Calendar: Shop Economically and Sustainably
Seasonal products are not only more environmentally friendly but also significantly cheaper. According to the BMEL (Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture), the price differences between seasonal and imported products can be 30-60%.
Spring (March-May):
- Vegetables: Asparagus, spinach, radishes, rhubarb (30-50% cheaper than out of season)
- Fruit: First domestic strawberries from the end of May (price difference compared to imported strawberries: approx. €2 per 500g)
Summer (June-August):
- Vegetables: Tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers (up to 60% cheaper than in winter)
- Fruit: Berries, cherries, peaches, apricots (price difference compared to imported goods: €3-4 per kilo)
Smart savings: Plan your weekly shopping based on seasonal offers. The free "Seasonality" app shows you which fruits and vegetables are currently in season. A family of four can save €15-20 per week on fruits and vegetables this way.
Sources: BMEL Seasonal Calendar, WWF Seasonal Calendar
Zero-Waste Kitchen: Avoid Food Waste and Save Money
According to the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, every German throws away an average of 75 kg of food per year – equivalent to a value of about €300 per person per year. These strategies help you stop this hidden waste of money:
Intelligent Storage
- The FIFO method (First In, First Out): Put newly purchased products at the back of the shelf and consume the older supplies first.
- Digital inventory management: Apps like "Grocy" or "NoWaste" help you keep track of supplies and expiration dates.
Creative Leftover Usage
With these techniques, you save real money:
- Freeze vegetable scraps for broth (saves €2-3 per homemade broth)
- Process stale bread into croutons or bread dumplings
- Use overripe fruit for smoothies or compote
Smart savings: A family that consistently pays attention to food waste can save €50-70 monthly, according to studies by consumer centers.
Sources: BMEL Too Good for the Bin, Consumer Advice Center
Case Study: How the Müller Family Reduced Their Food Costs by 28%
The Müller family of four from Frankfurt managed to reduce their monthly food expenditure from €850 to €610 – without sacrificing quality. Here are their most important strategies:
Systematic Meal Prepping
Instead of shopping spontaneously, the Müller family plans their meals for the week in advance. They use the Bring! app for coordinated shopping lists and thus avoid expensive spontaneous purchases.
Savings: About 18% of their food costs through fewer spontaneous purchases and more targeted shopping
Clever Combination: Discounter and Supermarket
The Müllers consistently buy basic food items and household articles at the discounter, while they specifically purchase fresh products like fruits, vegetables, and baked goods at the supermarket with evening discounts.
Savings: An average of 15% per shopping trip through this combination strategy
Too Good To Go as a Regular Component
Twice a week, a family member picks up surprise bags from local bakeries and an organic supermarket – for an average of €4.50 per bag with a goods value of about €15.
Savings: Approx. €85 per month through regular Too Good To Go purchases
Conclusion: Your Personal Savings Plan for 2025
With the strategies presented, you can significantly reduce your food costs without making sacrifices in quality and enjoyment. Here are the most important steps summarized:
- Digitize your shopping: Use apps like Too Good To Go, Lidl Plus, and Bring! for systematic savings
- Think seasonally: Align your meal plan with seasonal offers
- Combine cleverly: Use discounters for staple foods and supermarket evening discounts for fresh products
- Aim for zero waste: Reduce food waste through better planning and creative leftover usage
If you consistently implement all tips, you can reduce your annual food expenditure by €1,200-1,800 – without having to give up anything.