Supermarkets hike butter, cheese and milk prices 30% in year

Which? tracker finds basic groceries are much more expensive at the major supermarkets.

Cost of living: Butter, cheese and milk prices soar 30% in year, according to Which? — Supermarket shopping is getting more expensive. iStock

STV News

18th Jan 2023

The price of basic groceries such as butter, milk and cheese went up 30% in a year at some supermarkets, new figures show.

While overall food and drink inflation reached 15% in December across the eight major supermarkets, butters and spreads rose by 29.4%, according to tracking by watchdog Which?

Milk was 26.3% more expensive than a year before, while cheese (22.3%), bakery items (19.5%), water (18.6%) and savoury pies, pastries and quiches (18.5%) also saw higher-than-average price increases.

Which? tracks thousands of food and drink products at eight major supermarkets – Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.

According to the report, supermarket prices went up by:

Lidl – 21.1%
Aldi – 20.8%
Asda – 15.4%
Waitrose -14.5%
Sainsbury’s – 13.7%
Tesco – 13.1%
Morrisons – 12.9%
Ocado – 10.5%

Which? head of food policy Sue Davies said: “We know food prices have risen exponentially in the last year and our inflation tracker shows the dramatic impact this is having on everyday products at the supermarket.

“Some households are already skipping meals to make ends meet and our findings show trust in supermarkets taking a hit as many people worry they are putting profits before the people suffering during this cost-of-living crisis.

“Supermarkets must do more. Which? is calling for them to ensure everyone has easy access to basic, affordable food ranges at a store near them.”