Aldi has emerged as the most affordable supermarket for a standard basket of 14 grocery items, according to new findings from consumer group Choice. The supermarket beat out Woolworths, Coles and IGA in the latest round of price checks.
Fieldworkers visited 104 supermarkets across 27 locations in March 2025 to assess pricing for the government-funded report, which Choice has been conducting quarterly since March last year.
Now in its second year, the supermarket basket includes a revised product mix, featuring new additions and a pared-down “base basket”, to allow for broader comparisons and greater flexibility in highlighting key items throughout the year.
“As part of our new approach in year two, we’re sharing the full contents of our basket, which this quarter included ten fresh and four packaged items,” said Choice.
Along with the base items that are tracked all year, this quarter’s report examined the prices of several popular winter products such as vegetable stock, sour cream, drinking chocolate, butternut pumpkin, quick oats, garlic, and onions.
The other seven items among the best-selling items throughout the year were full cream milk, Sanitarium Weetbix, Royal Gala apples, carrots, Cavendish bananas, strawberries, and chicken breast fillets.
Choice based selections on ingredient lists, country of origin, and packaging similarities to ensure fair comparisons. If an item was unavailable, they selected the closest suitable alternative, as a typical shopper would.
According to the report, Aldi had the lowest total basket cost of $55.35 for 14 items, excluding specials. Woolworths was next at $58.92, then Coles at $59.22, and IGA was the most expensive at $69.74.
Ashley de Silva, CEO of Choice, said Woolworths had the lowest prices on chicken breasts and pumpkin, Coles offered the best price on apples, and IGA had the best value for carrots and garlic.
“For all other products in our basket, Aldi is your best bet,” said de Silva.
Even with specials included, Aldi remained the most affordable, with a total basket price of $54.44. Coles followed at $57.67, then Woolworths at $58.86, and IGA at $67.54.
“All up, if you’re planning a hearty porridge breakfast, or wanting a cup of hot chocolate to keep you feeling snug, Aldi should be your first stop,” said de Silva.
“But, as always, there are lots of other ways to save on your weekly grocery shop. Checking the unit pricing, keeping an eye on specials, shopping around, and trying out house brand products can all add up to significant savings.”
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