UK Food Inflation at 45-Year High, Hitting 19.1 Percent in March

The latest inflation report revealed that food and non-alcoholic beverage prices saw their highest rate of inflation in over 45 years, up from 18 percent per year in February, Anadolu Agency reported.

The cost of food alone surged 19.6 percent, with notable increases in the prices of bread and cereal, meat, fish, milk, eggs, olive oil, vegetables, and fruit, Bernama reported.

Bread and cereal prices jumped 19.4 percent, while meat prices were up 17.4 percent.

Whole milk prices rose 37.9 percent, while eggs climbed 32 percent.

The price of olive oil ballooned 49.2 percent compared to last year due to supply disruptions caused by the Ukraine war.

Additionally, vegetable prices rose 19.3 percent and fruit prices 10.6 percent.

The ONS said that the last time food prices were this high was in August 1977, when inflation was estimated at 21.9 percent.

But it also reported a slight easing in the UK’s cost of living crisis, with a drop in the annual consumer prices index to 10.1 percent in March from 10.4 percent in February.

Although this suggests some relief for consumers who have been struggling with high prices, the figure is still in double digits and higher than expected.