Food price inflation in UK slowed in recent months, but cost of some basic food items such as cheese, butter and bread has soared more than 30 per cent forcing many household to make desperate choices to keep up with their bill payments. According to research by consumer body Which?, the steep rise in basic food items are affecting the low-income households more.
The food products with the highest rates of inflation are milk (36.4%), cheese (35.2%), butters and spreads (32.2%), cakes and cookies (31.2%), and bakery items (30.3%). Vegetable prices are up 19.1% since May-July 2021, meat prices are up 23.6% and savoury pies and pastries and quiches are up 26.2%. Biscuit prices have increased by 27% and juice drinks and smoothies are up 28.6%.
The consumer rights group is urging supermarkets to stock their cheapest products in their convenience store branches as well as larger outlets, as charities warned that families were struggling to cope with food inflation.
Richard Lane, director of external affairs at debt charity StepChange, said: “The rising cost of living is forcing households to reassess their budgets and cut back to make ends meet. Food inflation remains high and has pushed the price of basics up significantly.
“These rises are hitting the poorest the hardest, as it creates a poverty premium where those on tighter budgets are unable to save by buying in bulk and end up spending more money on food and essentials, as they shop little and often.” He added: “As food costs continue to rise, the knock-on effects can be felt elsewhere, with people having to make desperate choices between keeping up their bills or putting food on the table.”