Christmas dinner with all the trimmings will cost UK shoppers 1% more this year compared to 2015, according to data firm Mintec.
Those who prefer ham to turkey will take a bit of a hit. Pork prices increased by 14% in October, mainly due to demand from China and a drop in domestic production.
Thankfully, turkey prices won't make shoppers squawk. Prices for the bird dropped in 2015 due to avian-flu concerns, maintaining a 2% decrease in November.
That all-important starch component of the meal will also cost more. Root vegetables like potatoes and onions have seen prices rise due to low yields and a delay in planting and harvesting. Parsnips have been up due to a price surge in the first half of the year before harvest. Perhaps these staples can be replaced with the cheaper carrot – demand has dropped due to exceptionally high domestic production.
Dessert is where consumers will really feel the sticker shock: the price of ingredients to make the traditional Christmas pudding has increased by 21% year on year. Raisins, mostly imported, have become dearer due to the weak pound. It's an idea to go heavy on the almonds instead, as production in California (the world's largest exporter) is expected to increase by 8%.
Butter is at a five-year high because of diminished production of milk and milk-fat stocks. Wheat and sugar stocks hold more bad news, as they have become more expensive year on year due to lack of supply.
Mintec even analysed the price of buying that statuesque symbol of Christmas, the fake pine tree. While PVC prices have remained unchanged, steel has nearly doubled in price. It increased 46% as a result of higher feedstock coking-coal prices, due to production cuts in China.
In general, prices are expected to rise in December, so write that list early and get cracking!
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Karen Henderson. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
