The prices of basic food items such as cheese, butter, and bread have skyrocketed by over 30% in the past two years. This has led to a difficult situation for less affluent households, who are now faced with the tough decision of paying their bills or putting food on the table. Campaigners have highlighted this issue, emphasizing the desperate choices that families are forced to make.
Recent research conducted by consumer body Which? and exclusively shared with The Guardian reveals that while food price inflation has slowed down in recent months, costs still remain significantly higher than they were two years ago. This has had a disproportionate impact on low-income households.
According to the latest analysis by retail industry data provider Kantar, grocery price growth has cooled to an annual pace of 14.9% over the four weeks leading up to July 9. This is a slight decrease from the 16.5% recorded a month earlier. Despite this slowdown, Which? has found that food prices have increased considerably in the past two years, with some products experiencing a surge of over 30% since 2021.
The products with the highest inflation rates are milk (36.4%), cheese (35.2%), butters and spreads (32.2%), cakes and cookies (31.2%), and bakery items (30.3%). Vegetable prices have increased by 19.1% since May-July 2021, while meat prices have risen by 23.6%. Savory pies and pastries as well as quiches have seen a 26.2% increase in prices. Biscuit prices have gone up by 27%, and juice drinks and smoothies have seen a significant rise of 28.6%.
In response to this concerning situation, the consumer rights group is urging supermarkets to stock their most affordable products not only in larger outlets but also in convenience store branches. Charities have expressed their concerns that families are struggling to cope with food inflation.
Richard Lane, director of external affairs at debt charity StepChange, explains that the rising cost of living is putting pressure on households, leading them to reassess their budgets and make cutbacks in order to make ends meet. High food inflation has significantly increased the prices of basic necessities, particularly affecting those with tight budgets. These individuals are unable to benefit from bulk purchases, often resulting in spending more money on food and essentials as they have to shop frequently with smaller quantities.
Furthermore, StepChange’s research has discovered that one in seven people have recently skipped meals or compromised on a healthy diet to prioritize credit repayments. This number rises to nearly one in three for individuals relying on universal credit.
Helen Barnard, director of policy, research, and impact at the Trussell Trust, the food bank network, highlights how inflation is hitting the lowest-income individuals the hardest. The cost of essential items like food and energy, which make up a significant portion of their budgets, has increased steeply compared to those with higher incomes.
Barnard reveals that last year, food banks in the network distributed almost 3 million parcels to individuals in need who couldn’t afford essentials. While donations from the public increased, the rising need surpassed the donations. This resulted in food banks having to purchase 124% more food than the previous year, further straining their operating costs.
In light of these challenges, Which? has called upon grocery stores to make affordable and healthy basic food options available in all of their locations. They also urge supermarkets to use offers and promotions to support struggling individuals, with a specific focus on healthy foods. Additionally, clear pricing is essential so that shoppers can easily determine which products offer the best value.
Tesco’s recent announcement that it will introduce cheaper own-brand range items in its convenience stores is seen as a positive step by Which?, but they emphasize that more needs to be done. They point out that own-brand items are still more expensive than budget ranges, using the example of Tesco’s own-brand penne pasta priced at 75p for 500g, while the budget alternative costs 41p.
Sue Davies, head of food policy at Which?, underscores the importance of access to budget ranges to help people save money. Despite advertised price cuts, the cost of essentials like milk and butter remains high, placing immense pressure on millions of individuals.
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