Food price inflation in the UK - statistics & facts

The average consumer in the United Kingdom is likely to have started to feel the pinch when purchasing essential day-to-day items. Since March 2022, at least 87% of surveyed adults stated that their cost of living had increased over the last month. This figure peaked at 91 percent in recent months. Food is one of the hardest-hit categories during this period of high inflation. Prices of food in the UK increased by 14.5 percent in September 2022 when compared to 2021. This is the highest figure on record.

Which food segments are most affected?

Between September 2021 and September 2022, vegetable oil, pasta, tea, and chips experienced the highest price growth among all low-cost grocery items. The price for an average bottle of vegetable oil increased by 65.2 percent within this time period. Just four of the 26 lowest-priced grocery items had decreased in price: rice, granulated sugar, beef mince, and orange juice. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is one of the factors influencing the price of everyday essentials in the UK. Together, Russia and Ukraine accounted for 53 percent of the global trade of sunflower oil and seeds, and 27 percent of the global wheat trade in 2020. Exports have been hampered since the beginning of the conflict, pushing up the prices of sunflower oil and wheat-based products. The rising price of energy across Europe is also pushing up costs for food producers and retailers. These price increases are then passed onto the consumer at the supermarket checkout.

How are consumers reacting?

When surveyed in October 2022, almost 40 percent of surveyed respondents in the UK were worried about affording food. This figure peaked at 42.8 percent in August 2022. Switching to cheaper or own grocery product brands is one way in which consumers are cutting costs. Over 50 percent of surveyed consumers in the UK stated that inflation had pushed them to buy more own-brand or value products. Among all food products, consumers were most likely to have switched to a cheaper brand of crisps, snacks, cereals, biscuits, and sweets to battle rising costs. One-quarter of shoppers were also purchasing more frozen foods as a money-saving technique.

The knock-on effect: Discount supermarket boom

The supermarket landscape in the United Kingdom was traditionally dominated by the big four players: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons. In September 2022, discount supermarket chain Aldi took over fourth place for the first time, signaling a shift in consumer preferences. Lidl and Aldi offered the lowest price for an average shopping basket in the UK in 2022, making them a popular option for the thrifty food shopper. It is yet to be seen if Aldi and Lidl can continue to climb the supermarket ranks in the UK. If successful, the share of new grocery stores opened by discount retail brands may rise from 67 percent in 2021.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Emma Bedford, Jun 13, 2023

Key insights

Inflation of consumer prices in the UK
6.8%
Sector with the highest inflation rate in the UK
Food and non-alcoholic beverages
Main reason for increased cost of living
Increased gas or electricity costs
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Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

CPI inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages in the United Kingdom from January 1989 to July 2023

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CPI inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages in the UK 1989-2023

United Kingdom (UK): Inflation rate from 1988 to 2028 (compared to the previous year)

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Inflation rate for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the United Kingdom in July 2023, by sector

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CPI inflation rate in the UK 2023, by sector

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