One of the biggest drivers behind the cost of the British barbecue is meat. In the past five years, the price of four frozen beef burgers has jumped 64.4%, from £2.02 to £3.32, much of that in the past year alone, when the price has increased by 80p. Sausages have also soared, with the price of 1kg rising by more than £1.50 since 2018, up 30.8% compared with May 2018.
Data from the Office for National Statistics gives a real-world insight into just how much more we are all paying for 450 everyday items and services, by tracking the average prices over five years.
The sharp increase in meat prices can be seen during the early days of the invasion of Ukraine, as the cost of the grain used to feed animals raised for slaughter rose rapidly. While the situation has stabilised to some extent, pressures remain.
Meat alternatives are more expensive, too. The price of frozen vegetarian burgers has increased faster than inflation: a four-pack costs £2.34 now, up 33.7% on five years ago.
Prawns, expensive at £2.72 per 150g, are also up in price, by 11.9% in the five years to May. Add peppers to your barbecue skewer and they will set you back 14.3% more than in 2018.
Burger toppings are also more expensive: the increase in egg prices, owing to higher feed prices and the impact of bird flu, and the rapid cost rises in cooking oil, mean mayonnaise prices have shot up by 43.4% in five years. A jar that cost £1.51 in 2018 is now £2.18. Cheese prices have also increased rapidly over the past year, and are up more than 40.3% since 2018, while a packet of six bread rolls has topped £1.
If you’re having an ice-cream to cool off, it will cost you: tubs of between 450ml and a litre cost an average of £3.16 at the start of May, 72p more than in the same month last year.
