Food prices of essentials such as cheese, butter and bread has risen by more than 30% in the UK over the last two years, according to research from Which?
This comes despite food prices rises slowing in recent months. Food inflation dropped to 14.9% in the four weeks to 9 July, compared to 16.5% the month before.
The items with the highest rates of inflation include milk (36.4%), cheese (35.2%), butters and spreads (32.2%), cakes and cookies (31.2%), and bakery items (30.3%).
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Meat prices have increased by 23.6% since 2021, vegetable prices are up 19.1% and savoury pies and pastries and quiches have surged 26.2%.
Biscuit prices have grown 27% and juice drinks and smoothies are up 28.6%.
Which? head of food policy Sue Davies said: “Despite well-advertised price cuts, Which?’s tracker shows that the cost of essentials like milk and butter is still very high and piling huge pressure on millions, which is why access to budget ranges is more important than ever to help people save money.”
The consumer group welcomed Tesco’s announcement on Friday that the grocer would be stocking more own-brand and value ranges in its convenience stores to provide customers with more budget-friendly options.
It follows in the footsteps of Morrisons, which launched its entry level Savers range to its Daily convenience stores across the UK last month to cater for low-income families amid the cost-of-living crisis.
