Shoppers left 'sick' over food prices almost 17 per cent higher than last year
Shoppers in Wolverhampton have spoken of their outrage after being faced with 'sickening' high food prices on store shelves.
The costs of staple food items remain gut-wrenchingly high – some having almost doubled in price since last year.
Food and non-alcoholic drink products are 16.9 per cent more expensive than they were a year ago, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This means an item costing £7 then would now be £8.18.
The ONS kept track of how prices have rocketed over the last year, with dairy products among the worst affected. A kilogram of cheese cost £6.21 in December 2021, but was priced at an average of £8.32 at the start of the year. Two pints of milk cost just 92p – in 2023 it's hard to find the same product for less than £1.30.
Statistics from endfuelpoverty.org.uk show that in the 10 most well-to-do areas in the UK, 19 per cent of people said they found themselves unable to pay for food or bills by the end of most months, increasing to 26 per cent in the 10 most deprived areas.
Larry Hunt, who shops at Sainsbury's in Wolverhampton's Raglan Street, said he 'feels sick' over the amount that everyday shopping costs.
The 75-year old said: "My wife and I are pensioners, so we are not too bad, but I feel sorry for those who can't afford such prices. What do they do?
"I have no idea how they manage, I really don't."
At Aldi on South Street, 19-year-old student Sophie from the University of Wolverhampton said the budget supermarket is her 'only option'.
"I can't afford to shop anywhere else, especially as a student," she said. "I love shopping here though because it's so cheap. Sainsbury's, M&S and Waitrose are out of the question for me."
At Tesco in Marston Road, resident Güneş Aksoy remembered when prices were "half of what they are now".
The 45-year-old said: "Prices are ridiculous now, it is not acceptable. It makes me feel upset. Whenever I can I will go to Aldi, but it is good that some shops do the Aldi price match, at least that is one good thing."
Here are the current average prices of some staple food items and how much they cost in March 2022 according to comparison information from trolley.co.uk.
Sainsbury's
Milk, two pints - was 92p, now £1.30
Pasta, 500g - was 70p, now 95p
Bisto Gravy, 350g - was £2.25, now £4.50
Heinz ketchup, 700g - was £2.80, now £3.90
Cathedral City mild cheddar cheese, 350g - was £3.25, now £4.20
Medium sliced wholemeal bread, 800g - was 55p, now 85p
Long grain white rice, 1kg - was £1.35, now £1.45
Nescafe Original instant coffee 300g - was £7, now £7.20
Own-brand butter, 500g - was £2.95, now £3.95
Tesco
Milk, two pints - was 89p, now £1.30
Pasta, 500g - was 70p, now 95p
Bisto Gravy, 350g - was £2.60, now £4.50 (£3 with a Clubcard)
Heinz ketchup, 700g - was £2.79, now £3.90
Cathedral City mild cheddar cheese, 350g - was £3.50, still £3.50
Medium sliced wholemeal bread, 800g - was 59p, now 85p
Long grain white rice, 1kg - was £1.25, now £1.50
Nescafe Original 300g - was £5, now £7
Own-brand butter, 250g - was £1.48, now £1.99
Asda
Milk, two pints - was 95p, now £1.30
Pasta, 500g - was 70p, now 95p
Bisto Gravy, 350g - was £2, now £4.50
Heinz ketchup, 700g - was £2.79, now £3.90
Cathedral City mild cheddar cheese, 350g - was £2.75, now £2.70
Medium sliced wholemeal bread, 800g - was 58p, now 95p
Long grain white rice, 1kg - was £1.18, now £1.50
Nescafe Original, 300g - was £5, now £6
Own-brand butter, 250g - was £1.55, now £1.99
Morrisons
Milk, two pints - was 95p, now £1.30
Pasta, 500g - was 75p, now 95p
Own-brand chicken gravy, 500g - was £1.49, now £2.49
Heinz ketchup, 700g - was £2.80, now £3.50
Cathedral City mild cheddar cheese, 350g - was £2.50, now £3
Medium sliced wholemeal bread, 800g - was 59p, now 85p
Long grain white rice, 1kg - was £1.20, now £1.35
Nescafe Original, 300g - was £5, now £8
Own-brand butter, 250g - was £1.55, now £1.99
