UK inflation: Milk and butter prices drop but sugar rises
UK inflation has fallen sharply to 4.6% in October in the biggest drop for more than three decades but what about food prices?
The pace of price rises for food and non-alcoholic beverages also fell sharply in October, but was still in double-digits.
The annual inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages dropped to 10.1% in October 2023, down from 12.2% in September, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Read more: UK wages grow faster than inflation
That’s an improvement on the recent high of 19.2% hit in March 2023, which was the highest annual rate seen for over 45 years.
Milk prices dropped by 1.8% and butter saw prices retreat by 6.1% in a relief for UK households. But several everyday items have become costlier, with sugar almost 50% pricier than a year ago.
Within vegetables prices rising also slowed down, notably from crisps, with prices for these products falling by 3.4%
However, oils and fats, and coffee, tea and cocoa provided no change in contribution to the 12-month rate.
The ONS said that although the annual rate at which food prices have been increasing has been slowing, the food price index is still at a high level in comparison to recent years.
Read more: UK inflation: Milk, butter and pasta prices drop
The price of food in October 2023 was around 30% higher than it was in October 2021.
Here is much prices have moved over the 12 months to October:
Food price increases – overall 10.1%
Bread and cereals – 12.2%
Meat – 9%
Fish – 5.5%
Eggs – 17.1%
Low-fat milk – (-1.8)
Oils and fats – 10.9%
Cheese and curd – 9.7%
Fruit – 5.6%
Pizza and quiche – 5.1%
Vegetables – 10.8%
Jams, marmalades and honey – 5.1%
Butter – (-6.1%)
Non-alcoholic beverages – 9.9%
Tea – 15.1%
Coffee – 9.5%
Mineral waters, soft drinks and juices – 9.1%
Alcoholic beverages – 10%
Spirits – 9.5%
Wine – 9%
Beer – 12%
Tobacco – 12.1%
Clothing – 6.6%
Garments – 6.8%
Other clothing and clothing accessories – 5.1%
Footwear – 3.8%
Electricity, gas and other fuels – (-21.7%)
Electricity – (-15.6%)
Gas – (-31%)
Liquid fuels - (-18.3%)
Solid fuels – (-2.1%)
Council tax and rates – 5.1%
Furniture, furnishings and carpets – 2.1%
Tools and equipment for house and garden – 3.4%
Purchase of vehicles – (-0.5%)
New cars – 3.8%
Second-hand cars - (-3.6%)
Motorcycles and bicycles - (-1.1%)
Transport services – 6.3%
Passenger transport by railway – 6.7%
Passenger transport by road – 5.5%
Passenger transport by air – 7.9%
Passenger transport by sea and inland waterway – 9.9%
Postal services – 6.7%
Recreational and cultural services – 4.2%
Recreational and sporting services – 3.8%
Museums – 7.3%
Cinemas, theatres and concerts - 4.7%
Books, newspapers and stationery – 9.5%
Books – 19%
Newspapers and periodicals – 8.6%
Misc. printed matter, stationery, drawing materials – 3.7%
Package holidays – 11.2%
Education – 4.5%
Catering services – 8.5%
Restaurants & cafes – 8.8%
Canteens – (-6.5%)
Accommodation services – 4.3%
Hotels and motels – 3.5%
Personal care – 5.9%
Hairdressing and personal grooming establishments – 4.7%
Appliances and products for personal care - 6.4%
Overall CPI – 4.6%
Food and non-alcoholic beverages – 10.1%
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco – 11%
Clothing and footwear – 6.2%
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels – 3.1%
Furniture, household equipment and maintenance – 3.1%
Health – 8.2%
Transport – 0.5%
Communication – 3.6%
Education – 8%
Restaurant and hotels – 7.6%
Miscellaneous goods and services – 4.8%
Watch: Inflation tumbles to two-year low of 4.6% as energy costs ease
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