We were there in February and if you buy own branded stuff it is the same prices really as over here. You will unfortunately pay through the nose for branded foods, so if you want certain tea, coffee, baked beans etc then I would take them in your luggage.

LIdl seems to be over there in reasonable force - certainly cheaper than the Ali supermarkets.

In the Ali supermarkets bread was about 2.3 euros for a bimbo loaf, half a dozen eggs around 50 cents, milk about 80cents a litre. If your not into brands Lidl as in this country is certainly a lot cheaper. Litre of cheap plonk in a carton about 50 cents, Orangina look alike 69 cents for 2 litres

If your staying around Albufeira Plus supermarket is reasonable as is Lidl also Marachino has plenty choice but a bit more expensive than the other 2. Plus supermarket is right on the worms roundabout and lidl is just higher up past the watches roundabout further on than the local fire station. Have a look at the interactive map on http://www.Albufeira.com . Regards Jayjan

thanks for the info all.

I'd heard pricing was about the same as in the UK. So, a list of stuff to take .... heinz baked beans, tea, heinz baked beans, coffee, heinz baked beans, oh and some heinz baked beans........

I know this is an old topic but I'm guessing the info is still useful for you all heading the Algarve. Here are the links to portuguese big supermarkets and their best prices for 1st need goods (just browse around):
(only one in Algarve) http://www.continente.pt/HomePage.aspx
(only in lisbon and porto areas) http://www.carrefour.pt/
(this one actually has many shops in the Algarve) http://www.lidl.pt/pt/home.nsf/pages/i.home
(also has several stores in Algarve) http://www.pingodoce.pt/
(common supermarket in Algarve only) http://www.marrachinho.pt/

You may find this useful, http://www.livinginformationguides.com/lig.asp

I doubt anyone would find shopping for food horrifically expensive, but it's weird not being able to find a loaf of toastable sliced bread. That Bimbo stuff is nutritionally deficient - I could eat a loaf at one sitting - and while the locally baked stuff is okay 'raw' it's not good for toasting.

On the other hand, I always think the Algarve has so many plusses, the few minuses are hardly worth mentioning...

My main worry is overdoing the cheap (compared to UK) wine, when we move there!

That's right, I wouldn't toast Bimbo slices either :p
Not even Panriko's, which is much better.
I would go to a bakery and buy a "pão de forma" and cut my own slices. This bread is delicious, you can't find better for toasts