By James Robinson for MailOnline
Published: 08:31 EDT, 19 April 2022 | Updated: 10:37 EDT, 19 April 2022
Britons already facing a cost of living crisis with rising gas bills, tax increases and spiralling petrol costs are now paying almost £3 more for an average shopping basket than they were a year ago, analysis by MailOnline can today reveal.
New figures, released today, show how prices of basic items including eggs, milk and fruit have all risen by more than seven per cent since April 2021.
Other essentials, including butter, beans and toilet roll, have all seen price rises of more than 10 per cent over the last 12 months, according to comparison site Trolley.co.uk's Grocery Price Index.
Meanwhile, packets of dried spaghetti, a staple in most cupboards, and often used as a bulky meal for parents working on a tight budget, have seen price rises of 13.6 per cent since last year, according to the website.
Analysis of the data by MailOnline shows how a 20 basket item for essentials and regularly purchased items now costs £2.82 more than it did in April 2021.
Britons are paying almost £3 more for an average 20 item shopping basket than 12 months ago, analysis of new data shows. Pictures are for illustrative purposes and are not the actual price of each item. The data comes from price comparison website Trolley.co.uk. The data is from April 2021 to April 2022 and prices are an average of all items of that type across all of the UK's major supermarkets. Categories also include small and larger sizes - meaning beans include packs of up to six while beer includes packs of up to 18
The basket includes semi-skimmed milk, which has increased on average by 10p in price since last April, bread, which has risen by around 5p, and chicken breast, which has seen a rise around 24p in price in the last 12 months.
Average price April 2021: £1.54 v Average price April 2022: £1.84
Price increase: + £0.30 - Percentage increase: 19.5%
Average price April 2021: £0.72 v Average price April 2022: £0.83
Price increase: + £0.11 - Percentage increase 15.3%
Average price April 2021: £3.64 v Average price April 2022: £4.15
Prince increase: + £0.51 - Percentage increase: 14%
Average price April 2021: £1.98 v Average price April 2022: £2.25
Price increase: + £0.27 - Percentage increase: 13.6%
Average price April 2021: £1.03 v Average price April 2022: £1.17
Price increase: + £0.14 - Percentage increase: 13.6%
Average price April 2021: £2.44 v Average price April 2022: £2.74
Price increase: + £0.30 - Percentage increase: 12.3%
Average price April 2021: £1.23 v Average price Apri 2022: £1.38
Price increase: + £0.15 - Percentage increase: 12.2%
Average price April 2021: £16.31 v Average price April 2022: £18.26
Price increase: + £1.95 - Percentage increase: 12%
Average price April 2021: £4.10 v Average price April 2022: £4.57
Price increase: + £0.47 - Percentage increase: 11.5%
Average price April 2021: £2.31 v Average price April 2022: £2.57
Price increase: + £0.26 - Percentage increase: 11.3%
It also includes washing powder, which has seen prices rise on average by 20p, crisp multipacks, which have gone up by around 12p and tea bags, which have seen a 6p rise since April last year.
The new data for April, which is based on the average price of all products in a category across the major UK supermarkets, comes after it was announced last week that consumer price inflation in the UK had reached 7 percent in the 12 months to March 2022, the highest rate in 30 years.
The inflation indicator, which measures the rate at which the prices of goods and services bought by households rises or falls, has risen as Britons face higher energy bills, which could cost average households up to £700 more each year.
The Government raised the energy price cap by 54 per cent earlier this month, after a huge spike in the cost of wholesale natural gas, which saw dozens of smaller UK energy firms go under.
The Ofgem energy price cap rise also came along with a National Insurance hike last month. The rate went up by 1.25 percentage points from April 6.
It means that everything Britons earn over the tax-free threshold that was being taxed at 12 per cent is now being taxed at 13.25 per cent. The Government introduced a higher threshold for the point at which people pay National Insurance, moving it from £9,880 to £12,570, a move that will come in in June.
Everyone earning under £32,000 a year will eventually be better off - with one change cancelling out the other. However, until then, everyone will be paying more National Insurance.
Meanwhile, petrol and diesel prices have also spiralled to the highest level on record, adding to consumer costs and transport costs for supermarkets.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine also threatens to spark new price rises, including in sunflower oil - used in the making of many products including some crisps.
Retail groups insist supermarkets are 'going to great lengths' to absorb the added cost. Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the BRC, told MailOnline: 'Rising inflation is a continued concern for both consumers and retailers Increases in transport, energy, commodity prices and wages, are forcing them to raise prices.
'Retailers are working hard to mitigate cost increases, and many supermarkets have expanded their value ranges for food, but it is likely that overall prices will continue to rise.'
However anti-poverty charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said the rise in grocery prices has been 'alarming'.
Rebecca McDonald, Senior Economist at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, told MailOnline: 'For those getting by on very low incomes they can cause intense worry and impossible choices.
'It’s not simply a question of heating or eating – we’re also hearing of foodbanks turning away food that would need to be cooked because people can’t afford the fuel to run the oven or the stove.
“This dire situation is not inevitable. The government must, at a minimum, ensure that benefit rises match the real rise in living costs as an immediate first step to protect people from hardship.
'As prices continue to rise and without action to close the gap with incomes, more people are at risk of enduring a grinding daily hardship'
Meanwhile, consumer groups have warned that the food price rises are hitting Britons at a time when they are already under pressure.
New figures, released today, show how prices of basic items including eggs, milk and fruit have risen by more than seven per cent since April 2021. Pictured: Library image of a supermarket trolley
Natalie Hitchins, Head of Home Products and Services at consumer group Which?, said: 'No one wants to overpay for basic groceries, especially when the cost of living crisis is putting huge pressure on household budgets.
'Shopping around and buying own-brand products is an easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year. Those prepared to switch to a cheaper supermarket for their regular shop will likely find some great value alternatives to their favourite brands.
'Writing a shopping list and sticking to it by resisting the temptation to pick up special offers you don't need is another way to save - but it can pay to stock up when items you buy regularly are discounted, such as multipacks.'
Here MailOnline looks at which popular items have seen price rises in supermarkets, according to Trolley.co.uk's grocery price indicator:
Essentials and commonly bought items - Total increase: £2.82 since April 2021
- Includes: Semi-skimmed milk, shampoo, eggs, spaghetti, bread, butter, toilet roll, beans, washing powder, chicken breast, fruit, tea bags, toothpaste, cheese, ham, crisps multi-pack, potatoes, coffee, beer and white wine
Britons are paying almost £3 more for an average 20 item shopping basket than 12 months ago, analysis of new data shows.
The biggest cost increase is in toilet roll, which has seen prices rise by 43p since April 2021, with an average pack now costing £4.53 compared to £4.10 to April last year.
Other essential cleaning items such as washing powder has also seen big increases, of 20p in 12 months.
Homemade sandwiches have also seen a price rise, due to an increase in the cost of bread, butter, ham and cheeses, all items included in our essentials basket.
With many people now opting for homemade lunches while working from home, prices have seen a sharp increase.
Bread has increased by around 5p on average since April last year, while spreadable butter has increased in price by around 32p - a 10 per cent rise in 12 months, according to Trolley.co.uk.
In terms of filling, ham is now 10p more expensive than it was last year, with an average pack now costing £1.88, while cheese is an even more expensive option, now costing on average £2.70, up 13p from last year.
Sandwich filler, while not included in this basket, has also seen the biggest percentage rise of any item in the last 12 months according to Trolley.co.uk. It is now 19.5 per cent more expensive than it was in April 2021.
Also up in price is fruit. According to a price check on 149 fruit products across the major supermarkets, an average pack of fruit is now £1.74, up 12p from last year.
MailOnline has also included non-essential, but popular items, such as beer, wine and coffee in the basket. An average pack of beer is now up 17p on last year, while white wine is up 5p and coffee up 8p.
Toiletries - Total cost increase: £1.50 since April 2021
- Includes: Nappies, deodorant, razors, shaving gel, face cream, show gel, conditioner, sanitary pads
An average basket of toiletries is also £1.50 more costly than last year, according to data by Trolley.co.uk. Face creams and moisturisers are the big driver, with prices rising by 62p in the last 12 months.
An average basket of toiletries is also £1.50 more costly than last year, according to data by Trolley.co.uk. Face creams and moisturisers are the big driver, with prices rising by 62p in the last 12 months. Library image
Toothpaste and shampoo have both seen similar increases, of around 3 per cent, up 11p and 12p respectively.
An average tube of toothpaste now costs £3.28 according to Trolley.co.uk, while shampoo now costs on average £3.80.
Spray on deodorant is also seeing a price rise, of around 14p, while razors are 25p more expensive than they were last year, but shower gels are roughly a penny less than they were 12 months ago.
For men, it is good news on shaving creams, which are now on average 6p cheaper than they were last year, and for women, sanitary towels are also a penny cheaper.
But it is bad news for parents, with nappies now on average 45p more expensive than April 2021.
Luxuries - Total price increase: £2.92 since April 2021
- Includes: Cigarettes, vodka, red wine, Champagne and ice cream
While there will be concern that cheaper items are seeing the biggest price rises in percentage terms, some of the biggest price increases pound for pound have been on luxury items.
Beer and white wine have both seen increases, of 17p and 5p respectively, though white wine has, on average, actually decreased by 3p in the last 12 months.
Cigarettes and tobacco are also on the rise. According to the data, an average pack of cigarettes now costs on average £12.71, compared to £12.35 last year. And loose tobacco, while not included in this figure, is among the biggest price riser, increasing by £1.95 in the last 12 months - a rise of 12 per cent.
Beer and white wine have both seen increases, of 17p and 5p respectively, though white wine has, on average, actually decreased by 3p in the last 12 months. Library image
A bottle of champagne is now £2.07 more expensive in supermarkets than it was last year, the largest pound for pound price increase in the last 12 months, according to Trolley.co.uk.
Ice cream tubs have also seen a slight price rise in the last 12 months, going from £3.07 on average last year to £3.20 this month, a rise of 4.2 per cent.
Frozen - Total price increase: 39p since April 2021
- Includes: Frozen chips, fish fillets, fish fingers, Birds Eye products, Aunt Bessie's products
Consumers hoping to avoid inflation by switching fresh to frozen might soon go cold on the idea, because frozen food prices have also risen in the last 12 month.
Frozen chips have seen the largest increase, rising from £2.30 in April 2021 to £2.46 in April this year - a rise of 16p. It comes as potato prices have soared due to an increase in labour costs, due in part to Covid and Brexit, and transport costs, due to spiraling fuel prices.
Consumers hoping to avoid inflation by switching fresh to frozen might soon go cold on the idea, because frozen food prices have also risen in the last 12 month. Library image
Meanwhile, frozen fish prices have also increased. Much of Britain's whitefish imports come from Russia. But sanctions on the import of whitefish in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been delayed, amid fears over the impact on Britain's seafood industry.
The Government says it is 'totally committed' to the scheme, which will see 35 per cent tariffs imposed on Russian whitefish imports - which could further push up prices.
Similarly, fish fingers have also increased in price in the last 12 months, by around 8p - a rise of around 2.8 per cent.
Though there are no statistics for frozen vegetables, prices of products from Birds Eye, who do a range of branded frozen vegetables, have also increased.
The average price of Birds Eye products, which includes their frozen fish, burger and chicken dipper ranges, as well as their frozen vegetable packs, have gone up by around 6p - from £2.74 to £2.80 - a rise of around 2.2 per cent.
But rival frozen food giant Aunt Bessie's has seen a bigger percentage rise, of around 8.9 per cent, on its ranges. The average price of its ranges, which stretch from Yorkshire puddings, roasted potatoes, frozen vegetables and desserts, is now 15p more expensive than last year, going from £1.68 to £1.83.
Around the house – Total price increase: 93p since April 2021
- Includes: Washing up liquids, surface cleaner, dishwasher tablets, baby wipes, dog food and cat food,
Away from food and drink, Britons are also facing an increase in costs to keep their homes clean and their pets fed.
According to the data, the average price of washing up liquids has increased by 4p in the last year, a rise of 2.3 per cent from last year, when they were priced around £1.75.
Away from food and drink, Britons are also facing an increase in costs to keep their homes clean and their pets fed. Library image
Baby wipes have seen a bigger rise, of 23p, while dishwasher tablets have also risen by around 2p. However surface cleaners have seen a slight dip in price, dropping from an average of £2.14 last year to £2.09 this year.
Both cat and dog foods have, however, become more expensive in the last year, according to data from Trolley.co.uk.
The average cost of dog food is now £5.76, compared to last year when it was £5.36, up 40p in 12 months, while cat food is up 29p, from £5.04 to £5.33.
Snacks and ready meals - Total price increase since April 2021: 34p
- Includes: Walkers crisps, Coca Cola, Kit Kat, Cadburys, Pot Noodle, Ginsters, ready meal products
One area where prices have been kept down is snacks - though there have been small rises for most products.
Pot Noodles, a popular lunch time option, have risen on average by around 4p over the last year, from 93p to 97p from April 2021 to April 2022.
Similarly, ready meals have in general seen price rises of around 14p. Walkers, who last month launched a reduced salt range, have also seen a small increase of around 4p since April last year.
Prices of Ginsters, makers of products such as Cornish pasties and steak bakes, have also risen by around 4p in the last 12 months, according to Trolley.co.uk.
Crisp makers are facing increased costs, including for potatoes and cooking oil, with the Russia-Ukraine conflict putting pressure on UK supplies of sunflower oil - because most of the seeds are grown in Ukraine.
Chocolate prices in supermarkets have also risen slightly since April last year. Kit Kats are on average 9p more expensive than they were last year, a 5.4 per cent increase, while prices of Cadbury products have also rise by 3p.
However Coca-Cola products meanwhile have also seen a slight decrease in price in the last 12 months. Average prices have dropped by around 1.5 per cent in supermarkets, a drop of around 5p.
Could crisps become a 'LUXURY'? Popular packs have ALREADY gone up 9.6% and now face further 2.2% rise as war in Ukraine and post-Covid supply issues drives up price of sunflower oil, potatoes, fertiliser and energy costs
By James Robinson for MailOnline
Britons already facing a cost of living crisis could have to rustle up more cash for a bag of crisps, with experts warning of a 2.2 per cent price rise.
Prices of the salty snack have already been driven up by 9.6 per cent in the last 12 months due to a spike in the cost of potatoes, increased energy costs and post-Covid supply issues.
But now consumer experts have warned Britons to brace for a 2.2 per cent rise in the average cost of crisps within six months.
An increase in the cost of cooking oils due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine - from where the UK imports most of its sunflower oil - is being blamed for the price hike.
It means customers could see the average price of a six pack of Walkers crisps rise to £1.69 in the coming months, with prices currently around £1.65 in some supermarkets.
But while any price rises will likely be a matter of pennies, it will be yet another cost increase on Britons, who are already facing huge increases on their gas bills, as well as a National Insurance rise and spiralling inflation rates of around 7 per cent.
It will particularly hit already hard-up parents trying to keep the costs of snacks and school lunches down as they tackle even bigger bills this year.
Meanwhile, trade magazines have even suggested crisps could become a 'luxury' due to the 'perfect' storm of problems facing snack-makers, including the 'eye-watering' costs of raw ingredients.
Consumer experts have warned Britons to brace for a 2.2 per cent rise in the average cost of crisps within six months. Pictured: A graphic showing how prices on could look if there is a 2.2 per cent price rise. *Current prices are based on non-deal prices from Tesco according to comparison website Trolley.co.uk as of April 18, 2022 **Six month prices are estimates based on current prices with a 2.2 per cent increase, rounded up and down to the nearest pence
Around 80 per cent of the global supply of sunflower oil comes from Ukraine and Russia, but the ongoing conflict has disrupted supply. Pictured: Empty shelves at a Tesco star in Cambridge earlier this month
Bare shelves in the crisps aisle of a Tesco in Cambridge earlier this month amid a shortage of sunflower oil
According to price comparison website MySupermarket, average crisps prices could rise by up to 2.2 per cent in the next six months.
Such a rise could see a 4p increase in multi-packs of classic Walkers, an a 5p increase in the cost of a 200g tin of Pringles.
Upmarket crisps like Tyrells, which are usually priced around £2.29 for a 150g bag when not on offer, could increase to £2.34, while Kettle crisps could also rise by around 5p to £2.05.
Classic Walkers - 6x25g - Current price: £1.65 - Price in six months: £1.69
Doritos: 180g bag - Current price: £1.99 - Price in six months: £2.04
McCoys: 6x 25g - Current price: £1.75 - Price in six months: £1.79
Pringles: 200g tin - Current price: £2 - Price in six months: £2.05
Frazzles: 6x18g - Current price: 99p - Price in six months: £1.01
Space Raiders: 6x13g - Current price: 99p - Price in six months: £1.01
Tyrells: 150g bag - Current price: £2.29 - Price in six months £2.34
Sensations - 150g bag - Current price: £1.99 - Price in six months: £2.04
Quavers - 6x16g - Current price: £1.50 - Price in six months: £1.53
Monster Munch - 6x20g - Current Price: £1.50 - Price in six months: £1.53
Kettle: 150g bag – Current price: £1.99 – Price in six months: £2.05
Wotsits: 6x16.5g – Current price: £1.50 – Price: £1.53
*Current prices are based on non-deal prices from Tesco according to comparison website Trolley.co.uk as of April 18, 2022
**Six month prices are estimates based on current prices with a 2.2 per cent increase, rounded up and down to the nearest pence.
Multi-packs of classic crisps like Space Raiders and Frazzles have remained steady at 99p for some time. And supermarkets are unlikely to raise prices to £1.01 - the cost it could rise to if prices increase by 2.2 per cent.
Meanwhile, Frazzles are likely to be immune from the big ingredient cost rises, as they are made out of maize, rather than potato, and cooked with rapeseed oil, rather than sunflower oil.
However Space Raiders currently lists sunflower oil among its ingredients, meaning its makers KP Snacks face an increase in production costs.
Prices for food, clothing, gas and electricity and fuel have all soared as the pandemic ends - a situation worsened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine last month.
According to data firm Kantar, the average price of crisps have already risen by 9.6 per cent in the last 12 months.
Data from commodity analysts Mintec shows that the cost of potatoes has been rising at a hefty rate, with the cost per metric tonne increasing 166per cent year on year.
Mintec put this down to a combination of factors. The easing of Covid restrictions has seen demand for processing potatoes recover in foodservice over the past year - putting pressure on supply.
At the same time, farmers had taken a more cautious approach to planting in the wake of the pandemic, which resulted in a 'lower planted area.'
On top of this, potato growers are struggling with the wider rise in fertiliser and energy costs. There have also been an increase in labour costs following Brexit and Covid, with farmers increasing wages by up to 60 per cent last summer to almost £20 an hour to combat a chronic labour shortage.
Now snack makers are also facing an increase in the cost of sunflower oil due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Edible Oils, Britain's largest cooking oil bottler, last month warned of a shortage of sunflower oil. The company said 80 per cent of the global supply of sunflower oil comes from Russia and Ukraine.
And president of the National Edible Oil Distributor's Association Gary Lewis said rapeseed oil prices have risen '50 to 70 per cent' since Russia's invasion.
Meanwhile, Kim Matthews, commercial director at Edible Oils, told the BBC last month: 'At the moment, Ukrainian farmers should be sowing the seeds now for the harvest in October and November.
'Clearly that's not going to happen…. we're probably going to miss the season so we could be impacted for 12-18 months.'
He said it is unclear as to when supply will return to normal, pre-war levels. Sunflower oil can be found hundreds of products on supermarket shelves, including ready meals, biscuits and mayonnaise. It is also used, alongside other oils such as rapeseed, to cook crisps.
Ukraine (pictured: A farm in Zahidnyl pictured last month) has been called the 'breadbasket' of Europe, and is a major exporter of wheat, barley, sugar beets and other grains and sunflower oil. The UK gets about 80 per cent of its sunflower oil from Russia and Ukraine, but the supply is to be disrupted due to the war
Tom Locke, founder of the British Snack Company, told the BBC: 'There's an incredible scramble. Everyone's doing the same thing.
'So while sunflower oil is impossible to get at the moment, rapeseed oil is possible but difficult to get as well obviously because everyone's having the same idea, as prices are skyrocketing at the moment.'
He added that, while his business is trying to absorb the costs, he will have to increase prices if the current situation remains.
That has led some to speculate on crisp price increase. In a report headlined 'Could crisps become a luxury?' trade magazine The Grocer even warned that the days of potato crisps being seen as an everyday snack could soon be numbered.
The magazine wrote: 'As much as Brits love the potato crisp they are seen as an everyday snack rather than a luxury.
'That could all change if market forces continue at their current pace. Crisp manufacturers are facing an eye-watering rise in input costs.
'Not only have they had to deal with steadily rising potato prices - on top of industry-wide rises in logistics costs - but they are now facing an unprecedented squeeze on global sunflower oil supply, around 60per cent of which comes from Ukraine and Russia.
'The war has pushed up prices sharply overnight, creating a perfect storm for bagged snack brands. '
Meanwhile, Alice Popple, consumer analyst at GlobalData, last month warned of increase in crips prices. She said:'The lack of availability of sunflower oil is especially worrying for savory snack brands who depend on this ingredient, as changing to other ingredients will lead to higher price points, both from a business and a consumer perspective.
'GlobalData's survey found that 29 per cent of UK consumers deem good value for money in savory snacks to be low prices, suggesting that price increases will be concerning for the category.
'The rising prices of alternative raw ingredients, such as rapeseed oil, is expected to have a continuous detrimental impact on consumer behavior due to financial constraints and other mitigating macroeconomic factors such as GDP as brands offload costs onto consumers.'
Ms Popple said that, according to GlobalData's latest polls results, almost one in five (18 per cent) Britons are concerned about the rising cost of day-to-day groceries due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
'Underscoring this, GlobalData's March 2022 survey found that 53 per cent are still worried about their financial situation,' she added.
Data from commodity analysts Mintec shows that the cost of potatoes (pictured: Library image) has been rising at a hefty rate, with the cost per metric tonne increasing 166per cent year on year. Mintec put this down to a combination of factors. The easing of Covid restrictions has seen demand for processing potatoes recover in foodservice over the past year - putting pressure on supply
Now snack makers are also facing an increase in the cost of sunflower oil due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine Pictured: Emergency workers clear up debris after an airstrike hit a tire shop in the western city of Lviv, Ukraine
She said: 'Brands reformulating with alternative ingredients must consider price sensitivity if they want to keep customers happy – raise them too high and it may push people to seek alternative products or brands.
'The future is uncertain, and prices are set to rise in the long-term. Brands must acknowledge the impact higher prices will have on grocery staples, both as a show of goodwill and for long-term sustainability.'
Meanwhile, Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services, said: 'No one wants to overpay for basic groceries, especially when the cost of living crisis is putting huge pressure on household budgets. Shopping around and buying own-brand products is an easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year.
'Those prepared to switch to a cheaper supermarket for their regular shop will likely find some great value alternatives to their favourite brands – with many even beating their well-known rivals in Which?’s taste tests.
'Writing a shopping list and sticking to it by resisting the temptation to pick up special offers you don’t need is another way to save - but it can pay to stock up when items you buy regularly are discounted, such as multipacks.'
What numbskull pays 1.30 for a tin of beans? When ...
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