THE cost of some everyday groceries has more than doubled in the past year.
As prices continue to soar at their fastest rate in 45 years, the Office for National Statistics has revealed that food and drink price inflation surged in March, rising by 19.2 per cent.
Oliver DixonLynsey Hope bought ten supermarket essentials to find out which is the best value as food and drink price inflation surged in March[/caption]
The price of bread and cereals increased by the fastest on record.
Consumer expert Martyn James says: “Food price increases are far exceeding the record-breaking rises in inflation at the moment.
“It’s vital to shop around for the best deals and do your research.
“With prices shifting by the week, don’t assume that the cheapest supermarket is still the best value in a fortnight.”
So where is the cheapest place to shop for groceries right now?
Lynsey Hope bought ten supermarket essentials to find out.
Aldi: £14.40
‘Third cheapest and top quality,’ too, says LynseyOliver Dixon
Milk (2 pints): £1.30Cheddar cheese: £2.79Penne pasta: 79pChocolate digestives: 59pTea bags (160): £1.39Eggs: £1.55Bananas: 92p2 chicken breasts: £2.29White sliced bread: 79pButter: £1.99
Lynsey says: ‘Third cheapest and top quality, too. The meat looks good and the own-brand stuff stood up in taste tests.’
Waitrose: £18.65
‘Chicken and pasta were extortionate’Oliver Dixon
Milk (2 pints): £1.35Cheddar cheese: £2.50Penne pasta: £1.90Chocolate digestives: 90pTea bags (80): £1.10Eggs: £2.50Bananas: 85p2 chicken breasts: £4.40White sliced bread: £1.15Butter: £2
Lynsey says: ‘Only supermarket to charge over £1.30 for two pints of milk. Chicken and pasta were extortionate, too.’
Tesco: £16.48
‘Cheese was costly but the eggs were good value’Oliver Dixon
Milk (2 pints): £1.30Cheddar cheese: £3.20Penne pasta: 95pChocolate digestives: 85pTea bags (80): £2.606 eggs: £1.40Bananas: 79p2 chicken breasts: £2.55White sliced bread: 85pButter: £1.99
Lynsey says: ‘Only had Tesco Finest tea, which bumped up the price. Cheese was costly but the eggs were good value.’
Asda: £20.09
Oliver Dixon‘Most expensive… you get more for your money’[/caption]
Milk (2 pints): £1.30Cheddar cheese: £5.50Penne pasta: 95pChocolate digestives: 85pTea bags (240): £2.506 eggs: £2Bananas: £12 chicken breasts: £3White sliced bread: £1Butter: £1.99
Lynsey says: ‘Most expensive, but we could only buy a bigger cheese and 240 tea bags so you get more for your money.’
Lidl: £13.83
‘My local branch was packed and now I know why’Oliver Dixon
Milk (2 pints): £1.30Cheddar cheese: £2.79Penne pasta: 41pChocolate digestives: 69pTea bags (80): £1.096 eggs: £1.99Bananas: 89p2 chicken breasts: £2.29White sliced bread: 39pButter: £1.99
Lynsey says: ‘My local branch was packed and now I know why. It’s cheapest – and the pasta and cheese were big, too.’
Sainsbury’s: £14.68
‘Middle of the road’Oliver Dixon
Milk (2 pints): £1.30Own-brand mature Cheddar: £3.20Penne pasta: 95pChocolate digestives: 75pTea bags (40): 70p6 eggs: £1.75Bananas: 79p2 chicken breasts: £2.50White sliced bread: 75pButter: £1.99
Lynsey says: ‘Middle of the road. The ten items cost less than at Tesco and Asda and I thought the quality was often better.’
Morrisons: £14.31
Oliver Dixon‘The cheapest chicken but we didn’t get as many tea bags’[/caption]
Milk (2 pints): £1.30Cheddar cheese: £2.99Penne pasta: 95pChocolate digestives: 85pTea bags (40): 75pEggs: £1.39Bananas: 99p2 chicken breasts: £2.25White sliced bread: 85pButter: £1.99
Lynsey says: ‘Morrisons was second cheapest to Lidl. It had the cheapest chicken but we didn’t get as many tea bags.’
M&S: £17.41
Oliver Dixon‘Its own-brand tea tasted better than famous brands’[/caption]
Milk (2 pints): £1.30Cheddar cheese: £2.90Fusilli pasta: 71pChocolate digestives: £1.10Tea bags (80): £1.106 eggs: £2Bananas: £1.202 chicken breasts: £4.25White sliced bread: 85pButter: £2
Lynsey says: ‘There are great deals to be had, including on pasta. Its own-brand tea tasted better than famous brands’