THE cost of a grocery staple has soared to record levels meaning shoppers face choosing between a price hike or going without.
As British farmers look for ways to increase their profit margins and as meat imports are on the rise, prices are expected to inflate further.
Record-high farmgate prices have already led to a jump in value and it seems beef has been set to follow suit.
Recent analysis of the fresh meat lines sold at the UK’s top 10 supermarkets shows 43 per cent of them have risen in price.
The report for Grocer magazine by analysts at Associa has compared the protein’s value for money since the start of the year.
Prices paid to farmers are at a record high of 630p per kilo, recorded on February 8th, an increase of 11.4 per cent since the beginning of January and 24.7 per cent higher than a year ago.
While some increases can be absorbed, it has meant that so far this year, supermarket prices of mince are up by an average of 5.4 per cent but for beef roasting joints specifically a rise of 17 per cent has been seen.
The biggest hike was a 40 per cent increase for an ‘XXL’ sized 30-day ‘matured beef roasting joint’ in Lidl while Ocado’s Aberdeen Angus Rump steak is 27 per cent more than it’s value on January 1.
Sirloin steaks are, on average, up 8 per cent so far in 2025.
Domestic cattle supply this year is forecast to be down by five per cent to 885,000 tonnes compared to last year.
Although sales of beef have risen, farmers have seen profits squeezed due to higher production and other costs, leading them to reduce herds in favour of alternative forms of income.
Hannah Clarke, lead analyst for the industry body, AHDB, forecast a 12 per cent increase in imported beef this year compared to 2024.
Clarke said: “The wide price differential between British and Irish cattle prices that opened up during the year was likely a key driver of increased trade, as well as robust domestic UK demand for beef.”
While beef sales in supermarkets were up 8.5 per cent in value and 2.1 per cent in volume, this year could see a downturn if higher prices force shoppers to choose alternatives.
Clarke added: “The price evolution of beef at retail will be a key watchpoint for the price-conscious consumer.”
That’s not the only item on shoppers’ weekly lists that have been victim to soaring prices.
Following the Budget tax raid shoppers have faced a huge blow as fruit and veg prices continue on up.
Two supermarkets, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, have been forced to issue statements acknowledging the predicted hike.
At her first Budget in October, Rachel Reeves introduced tax rises amounting to £40billion – including raising the rate of employer National Insurance contributions.
This, alongside increasing minimum wage, could raise the cost of growing fruit and vegetables by 10 to 12 per cent, the British Growers Association (BGA) has warned.
Suppliers will be unlikely to be able to absorb the increase themselves, due to the new National Insurance changes.
And the same is true of supermarkets – who will likely be forced pass on at least some of the burden to their customers, it is believed.
Sainsbury’s, which previously warned that the Budget would cost them an extra £140million, has admitted it is feeling the pinch.
CEO Simon Roberts said that the chain would need to work with its suppliers to minimise the impact on customers.
He told The Grocer: “Suppliers have got costs coming at them as well, of course, given all of the changes in National Insurance coming.
“We’ll be working really closely to make sure that between us, we find the best answers we can and we continue to give customers the best value that we possibly can.”
How to save on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
