Why Your Weekly Shop Has Just Got Pricier - The UK Food Price Squeeze Explained

11th January 2026

If you've been to a supermarket recently, you're not imagining it — everyday food prices in the UK have been climbing again after a period of relative calm, and some staples are experiencing surprisingly steep increases that go well beyond the usual suspects of bread, milk, cheese and meat.

According to the latest shop-price indexes, overall food price inflation is running at over 3%-4% — higher than general inflation and higher than many households would like to see. In the closing months of 2025, food price inflation edged up again after moderating earlier in the year, even as non-food inflation cooled.

Staples Still Rising Faster Than the Rest

Basic categories that feature in almost every shop have shown persistent price rises:

Bread and bakery products have been rising steadily and remain above long-term inflation averages.

Milk and dairy products — including butter and yogurt — have been among the hardest-hit categories over recent years, with price rises significantly outpacing other food groups.

Cheese prices have also climbed sharply over the last several years.

Meat, especially beef and lamb, remains one of the most expensive parts of the weekly shop, with some cuts up more than 10% compared with a year ago.

These increases reflect a mix of higher farm costs, energy and feed prices, labour costs and supply chain pressures that have rippled through the industry.

Four Other Food Categories You're Paying More For

But the story doesn't stop with staples. A deeper look at inflation data and shop-price tracking shows several unexpected or especially steep rises that are worth highlighting:

Butter and spreads

Butter prices have climbed sharply in recent years — in some surveys by 15-20% or more year-on-year — due in part to higher feed costs and weather-related supply constraints that reduce milk yields and push up butter production costs.

Chocolate and cocoa products

Chocolate has seen some of the highest inflation of any food item recently, driven by poor harvests abroad and rising commodity costs. In some UK price tracking, chocolate bars have risen by 60-100% compared to previous years.

Coffee

Coffee prices have shot up in supermarkets and cafes alike. Weather events affecting key coffee-producing countries and supply disruptions have translated into higher shelf prices for many blends.

Eggs

Egg prices — once one of the cheaper proteins — have jumped sharply, reflecting feed costs and regulatory changes affecting production. Many shoppers have noticed eggs rising much faster than the overall inflation figure.

And in broader price surveys — including historical comparisons — other staples such as sugar, olive oil, potatoes and various cereals have also climbed significantly in recent years, sometimes by 20-50% or more since 2020.

What’s Driving These Rises? A Mix of Forces

There isn’t a single cause for the squeeze on the weekly shop; rather, multiple pressures have combined:

Supply chain and commodity cost increases — including higher global prices for grains, dairy inputs and animal feed.

Climate impacts — extreme weather, droughts and heatwaves have damaged harvests and reduced yields for crops used in food and feed, pushing prices higher.

Domestic cost pressures — rising labour costs, transport costs and regulatory expenses have filtered through to supermarket pricing.

International market volatility — global inflation in key food commodities like cocoa and coffee affects UK shop prices even if domestic inflation is lower.

Even as energy and some global commodity prices have stabilised, these cumulative pressures mean that households still feel the pinch at the checkout.

Real-World Impact on Shopping Baskets

For consumers, this translates into familiar frustrations:

Shoppers report seeing weekly shop totals creep higher even if the same number of items is purchased.

Discount supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl have gained market share as households hunt for value, while mid-priced and premium baskets have become noticeably more expensive.

Even small treats — like bakery items or cafe purchases such as a sausage roll — have seen price bumps, further tightening tight household budgets.

What This Means for Your Budget

So, while headline food inflation isn’t as extreme as the record spikes seen during the worst of the cost-of-living crisis, many everyday items remain significantly more expensive than they were a few years ago. Staple goods such as milk, meat, eggs and cheese continue to cost more — and less obvious items like butter, chocolate and coffee have in some cases risen even faster.

For UK households juggling rising bills, energy costs and housing expenses, these food price pressures mean tough choices at the checkout and renewed incentive to shop around, buy own-brand products or prioritise essentials over treats.

In short, the weekly shop may feel like a slow-burning cost-of-living challenge rather than a headline inflation crisis — but the impact on household budgets is very real, and people are noticing it every time they fill their trolley.