8.1%

Butchery

Inflation Update

The latest CPI inflation level, remains high, sitting at 10.5% above December last year, although slightly down on the October peak. CPI for Food and Non-alcoholic beverages is one of the main drivers, and continues to rise to an incredible 16.8% higher than it was last year, the highest level recorded by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) since September 1977. Of course, CPI doesn’t necessarily reflect the inflationary picture we see in foodservice, as it’s considerably skewed by grocery prices. However, these high CPI levels do indicate that food and drink prices are at record levels right now. 

Chicken supply facing “crisis”

Reportedly, only the “top quartile” of the sector’s chicken farmers are currently making enough cash to continue producing in the long term under current financial conditions. Many producers are not restocking birds in the face of chronically low returns and soaring costs.

Eggs

There are approximately 4 million hens less in production in the UK. This is for a variety of reasons, such as the producers haven’t been making a profit so are not rehousing birds, the cost of electric, a labour shortage and the high cost of feed. In addition, wholesalers are willing to pay higher prices whilst producers are scarce. This is driving the price of eggs up weekly, to levels that we have never seen before. We are also still battling with Avian Influenza, that is unfortunately impacting the flock numbers each week. NB: BEIC have now advised as of 1st February 2023 egg codes will change on print to say 2UK instead of 1UK. Outer labels from 1st February will say BARN not FREE Range

Olive Oil Prices Soar

Temperatures in southern Europe soared to more than 40C last year, causing havoc in yields of Olives - Particularly in the Spanish province of Andalucia, which is known for producing more olive oil annually than the whole of Italy! As a result we are likely to see steep increases in prices of olive oil over the next couple of months.

Fruit & Vegetables

What’s in season for January?

• Rhubarb

• Blood Oranges

• Nadarcotts

• Lemons

• Brassicas

• Chantenay Carrots

• Parsnips

• Swede

• Sweet Potatoes

• Tenderstem Broccoli

Low Temperatures Causing Concern

Spain, Italy and France has been experiencing extremely cold weather and snow which is causing challenges in availability. Crops that will be particularly affected are:

• Peppers

• Tomatoes

• Salad

• Cauliflower

• Spinach

• Rocket

• Beetroot

• Cavolo Nero

Fish & Seafood

What’s in season for February?

• Pollock

• Gilt Head Bream

• Brill

• Razor Clams

• Cockles

• Cod

• Coley

• Brown Crabs

• Haddock

• Halibut – Farmed

• Meagre

• Red Mullet

• Mussels

• Salmon

• Sea Bass
• Squid

• Trout