Here in the UK, "the government is discussing plans for supermarkets to introduce a cap on the price of basic food items to help tackle the rising cost of living. A voluntary agreement with major retailers could see price reductions on basic food items like bread and milk.
Food prices rose by 19.1% in the year to April - its second highest rate in 45 years.
Downing Street sources have stressed that there are no plans for a mandatory price cap.
The idea of a cap or freeze on basic food items, was first reported by the Daily Telegraph, and is said to be at the "drawing board stage".
Supermarkets are expected to be allowed to select which items they would cap and only take part in the initiative, modelled on a similar agreement in France, on a voluntary basis.
However there is some doubt over what impact a price cap of food will have.
The British Retail Consortium says that the government should focus more on cutting red tape rather than "recreating 1970s-style price controls".
"This will not make a jot of difference to prices. High food prices are a direct result of the soaring cost of energy, transport, and labour, as well as higher prices paid to food manufacturers and farmers," says Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the BRC."As commodity prices drop, many of the costs keeping inflation high are now arising from the muddle of new regulation coming from government. Rather than recreating 1970s-style price controls, the government should focus on cutting red tape so that resources can be directed to keeping prices as low as possible."
At a meeting with food manufacturers last week the chancellor Jeremy Hunt stressed widespread concern about prices and agreed to engage with the industry on possible measures to ease pressure on household budgets.
Experts have warned that expensive food is set to overtake energy bills as the "epicentre" of the cost-of-living crisis."
The above is just a snippet of article which you can read in full here
Have you been experiencing higher food prices?
Have you any tips to pass on which readers could find helpful?
Please share your thoughts in the comments.
All the best Jan
30 comments:
Our food prices are sky high in the USA also. I wish the government here would impose limits on prices on basic foods. I try to buy meat on special and then, freeze portions. Eat more beans for protein! They are cheaper and probably better for us. Take care!
...inflation hasn't been a serious issue for so long. Sooner or later all hell breaks loose.
There is no question that food prices are going up, in some cases quite dramatically. We keep an eye out for the sales and do a little judicious substituting, but by and large its impact has not been catastrophic. We had to cut back on the caviar but we all have to make sacrifices, don't we?
Our food is high here in the US, too....but, yesterday I noticed that eggs are back to normal pricing-well below $2 a dozen for large eggs. Have a wonderful day. Diana
Yes the food prices are going up in Toronto.
Good info
Price increases here in Vermont, in some cases, are not reasonable.
Cutting red tape, the standard business go to. In my experience, that makes things considerably worse.
Inflation is a beast.
Universal problem 🙄
We are seeing all that here too, we have a few items that have gone back down but not as low as they were, like eggs and some meat. I am hoping that continues on everything.
It is truly unbelievable at the cost increase here on food. However, everything else too. I am not really shocked as I do believe it will get much worse before it gets better. I am so glad that I had grandparents in my life that taught me how to pinch a penny. How to do what is needed and not always what is wanted. How to use leftovers, to make something basically out of nothing. This younger generation will struggle for sure for lack of knowledge. Happy Memorial Day. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Everything is very expensive everywhere!
After reading this post and all the previous comments, we can all agree that food prices are rising no matter where we all love. Although we dine out when traveling, we have found that eating at home is still less costly in the long run. We do not buy processed or frozen meals, but buy chicken or fish when there is a sale and also fresh vegetables on every shopping trip. The cost of dining out for a meal is often just as costly as a trip to the supermarket.
Food prices are much higher for sure.
High prices over here too, Jan. Sigh.
Our prices are rising too - and there is no end in sight. We buy seasonal fruit and veg and stock up when items are on special - and are grateful that we can afford to do so. Many cannot.
En España también han subido los precios de los alimentos y creo que seguirán más. Besos.
Just greed of corporates with excuse of inflation and short supply
Prices going up here too.
Prices are high here in the US, like everywhere else. Eggs are back down 99 cents a doz on sale this week. We can afford to buy what we want and need, but we shop judiciously by studying the ads. We freeze meat at the lowest price. I truly feel for the people who cannot afford what they need. I know children do not get the proper nutrients.
I'm very much afraid the rise in prices is signalling shortage of basic food items, and perhaps even... Famine. May God help us!
En mi pais esta igual La guerra, la pandemia nos están pasando factura. Te mando un beso.
We can all agree the price of food is climbing, but here in the states, gas has gone down a bit, which should help when getting food to market. Eggs are cheaper, too, but most everything else has gone up. I plan to eat a lot of beans and rice, which together, provide the much needed protein we vegetarians sometimes don't get.
We have inflation because 1) they printed a bunch of money for people to stay home during COVID and 2) people staying home during COVID led to supply chain disruptions and shortages. Introduce price controls and the shortages will get worse; this is ECON 101.
As to saving money, I quit using nut flour and now eat more "real" food instead of low-carb sweets. I did it to avoid gaining weight--but nut flour is expensive, so saving a little money is a side benefit.
I also ferment most of my probiotics instead of taking them in pill form. This is to get a big dose of the microbes, but probiotics being expensive, this also saves money.
Jan - thanks for your visit to my blog and for leaving a comment!
Food supply chains are complex these days, like other supply chains. People might be surprised to learn where their food comes from ... If I can take a stand on one thing, it is that farmers and their workers do not get paid enough - the profits go to the large semi-monopolistic food companies ...
Prices have been going up here for awhile now, we grin and bear it.
Food prices have gone up over the past two years. Some items have come back down, chicken thighs, eggs and milk. Maybe a few other things. Steaks are pricey. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.
Fish food's price hasn't risen, because the government decided to help fishermen. With regards to red meat, the price is quite stable due to the fact that people are limiting red meat, bacon, and other processed meats. Consequently, supply sometimes exceeds demand for red meat.
We, Italians, noticed rising prices mainly in fruits and veggies. Olive oil's price also has been increasing sharply since the second half of 2022 here in Italy. As it is known, Italy and Spain has been the two largest consumers of olive oil worldwide.
As you mentioned, the main problem is the rising price of oil and gas. In addition to this, according to a new study, in your country Brexit has boosted UK people's average food bills.
Consumers in the UK have paid more in customs duties on goods since Brexit took place.
Last month I went to Ireland, which is still a member of the EU common market, and I noticed that food and restaurant's prices were never too low and never too high.
Interesting post!
we are experiencing highest price rise of the history in Pakistan this year though it was happening since few years slow but bigger jumps and in every months situation is worst for people specially who are jobless or under poverty line .even over line are upset
don't think it will go back to normal ever again
Food prices have gone up in USA too. I am eating meat less often.
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