Food inflation in the United Kingdom reached 11 months in April, according to industry data, show

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Food inflation in the United Kingdom has reached a maximum of 11 months, as staplers such as bread, meat and fish become more expensive at a higher cost for retailers, the data of the industry were displayed.

Food prices increased at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in April, to 2.4 percent in March and the fastest pace since May last year, according to the British detailed Consortium.

The numbers of the commercial body are advanced in front of the official inflation data of May 21. Both series of data reported a collection in the growth of food prices earlier this year compared to most of 2024, reflecting higher wholesale prices and stronger pressure on national prices.

BRC’s executive director Helen Dickinson said that the prices of everyday essentials, including bread, meat and fish, increased between March and April, a period when retailers faced “a mountain of new labor costs”, as the employer’s national insurance contributions and the minimum wage increased.

“The days of pricing of the shop seem numbered when food inflation increased to 11 months and non -food deflation was significantly relieved,” he added.

The general prices of the store dropped 0.1 percent in April compared to the same month last year, the smallest contraction since summer 2024, when prices stopped climbing, according to BRC.

Since Chancellor Rachel Reeves used his autumn budget to establish higher taxes for employers, who came into force this month, numerous business surveys have aimed companies that plan to reduce the count and increase prices as compensation measures.

Last month, the Bank of England said that food inflation had increased more than expected at the beginning of the year. Next to external shocks, “domestic factors, such as labor costs, were possible,” the increase in the increase, added the Central Bank.

Food inflation is well below the two -digit rate reached by 2023, when the Russian large -scale invasion of Ukraine led many goods to increase the price. But the increase in April will still affect the poorest households, as they spend a greater part of their income on basic elements.

Non -food products were still in deflation, lowering a 1.4 percent price, a slight contraction than 1.9 percent recorded in March and the lower decrease in nine months.

But inflation of fresh foods increased to 1.8 percent in April compared to the previous year, against the growth of 1.4 percent in March and above the average of 3 months of 1.5 percent, said the BRC.

The prices of environmental foods, which can be stored at room temperature, increased with an annual rate of 3.7 percent, without changes since the previous month and above the average of three months of 3.4 percent.

Mike Watkins, head of the Nielseniq Business Business and Business Knowledge, who collects data with the BRC, said that buyers continued “benefited from the lower prices of the lowest store prices a year ago, but prices slowly increase in supply chains, so retailers will study ways to mitigate the possible ones.”