Festive food prices are on the rise year-on-year in supermarkets with Christmas dinner staples such as carrots, roast potatoes and turkeys among the worst affected
A supermarket-bought Christmas dinner is set to cost £49.33 for roughly six people this year – but this is 3% more expensive than in 2023, outpacing the rate of inflation which is currently 1.9%.
Firm NetVoucherCodes looked at festive food staples sold in the UK’s major supermarkets, such as turkeys, mince pies and vegetable trimmings to find what has gone up the most year-on-year.
Carrots were worst affected, going up from 54p in 2023 to 69p this year – an almost 27% rise. Parsnips now cost 75p, a nearly 17% rise on last year’s price of 64p, while 2.5kg of Maris Piper potatoes are 12% more expensive and now are priced at £1.89 on average when they were £1.68 last year.
This year’s spate of extreme weather, which included the wettest winter on record, caused a lower supply of these vegetable products and pushed prices up. Turkey has also increased yet again in price from 2023 to 2024 by 7%, going from £30.13 to £32.21 for a 4.75kg bird – a 7% hike.
Consumer expert Scott Dixon, of The Complaints Resolver, said: “Hard pressed households will be dismayed to read this and won’t find it a surprise. The headline rate of inflation doesn’t match reality with shoppers who often find themselves shocked at prices for grocery staples.”
It was not all bad news for festive shoppers, however, as the NetVoucherCodes data found some products are lower in price this year compared to last. Cranberry sauce has dropped significantly by 27% from prices in 2023, while stuffing mix is 13% cheaper and Prosecco is down 6%.
When it came to the prices at retailers Aldi was found by NetVoucherCodes to be the cheapest supermarket, with an average basket of festive staples costing £32.04. This was followed by rival budget supermarket Lidl and Asda, at £34.90 and £37.25. M&S came out as the priciest, at £81.25.
Scott added: “Many of the supermarkets heavily discount vegetables at around mid-December, so considerable savings can be made if you time your shopping right. Everyone else will be thinking the same, so plan in advance with a list and buy early to bag the best deals.
“You can compare prices for many grocery items using trolley.co.uk. Supermarkets will also be offering loyalty card discounts on condiments and seasonal groceries, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for special deals.”
Meanwhile, for those looking to eat out over the festive season, prices have also risen. The average three-course festive set menu in a restaurant is now £32.10, 10% more than in 2023, while Christmas hot drinks are up 9% in price and Christmas sandwiches are 7% more according to data from marketing intelligence company Meaningful Vision.
