Inflation rate sees unexpected increase for food: comment

Commenting on an unexpected increase in the inflation rate [1] for food and non-alcoholic drinks, Christian Jaccarini, Senior Analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said: "A rise in food inflation shows just how exposed our food system is. Climate-driven floods, droughts and heatwaves have battered food production in recent years, and gas price shocks to global feed and fertiliser markets still flow through supply chains. Families end up paying the price [2] for a food system tied to extreme weather and volatile fossil fuels, with British farmers also hit with two terrible harvests in a row after extreme rain and then drought [3].
 
"Household staples hit by extreme weather like chocolate, coffee and milk are once again up, keeping inflation high [4]. To stop these climate shocks repeatedly driving food bills higher, we need to cut emissions to net zero, support farmers to adapt, and build a more resilient food system where risk is shared fairly through supply chains."
 
Today's figures come after analysis [4] from the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) showed that the price of foods hit by extreme weather are rising over four times faster than others in the average shop. The analysis found that although these items -  butter, beef, milk, coffee and chocolate - make up just 11% of the average shopping basket, in September they accounted for nearly 40% of all food price inflation. These items remained the food types with the highest rate of inflation in October, as climate shocks continue to reduce discretionary income.

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

1.ONS: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/datasets/consumerpriceinflation

2. ECIU: Families hit by £605 food bill as extreme weather and energy crisis bites, https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2023/families-hit-by-605-food-bill-as-extreme-weather-and-energy-crisis-bites

3. ECIU: England has second worst harvest on record, https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2025/england-has-second-worst-harvest-on-record-comment

4. ECIU: Why food prices are still rising: butter, beef and milk to blame, https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2025/why-food-prices-are-still-rising-butter-beef-and-milk-to-blame

For more information or for interview requests:

George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net