Raging inflation means some foods could cost up to 30% more this year than they did at the start of the Covid pandemic.
Annual food inflation is already running at 4.2%, according to the Office for National Statistics – and Tesco chairman John Allan warned that rate could surge to 5% by spring.
The Sunday Mirror examined food prices recorded by the ONS over the past two years and factored in the 5% cost hike to reveal a prediction of prices we could see by December.
We found a beef roasting joint is likely to be up 31% compared to pre-pandemic prices, while a 500g pack of butter would cost 16.3% more.
A sliced loaf of bread will have risen 7.7% and sausages by 13.9%.
Supermarkets are raising prices due to higher costs caused by staff shortages, ingredient costs and shipping rates.
Last week Unilever, the maker of Marmite and Dove soap, warned its prices would keep rising because of higher transport, energy and raw materials costs.
The ONS said the average UK household spends £63.70 a week on food, up from £61.90 in 2019. Our analysis suggests inflation of 5% as predicted by Mr Allan would take the bill to £66.88.
Industry analyst Richard Hyman, of the retail consultancy TPC, said: “It puts more pressure on the disposable income of ordinary people who get disproportionately whacked by these things.”
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said many family incomes “are too low to manage the rise of food costs”.
