While overall inflation in the UK held at 3.4% in May – the same level seen in April – food prices continued to rise sharply last month.

Food inflation rose to +4.4% in May, up +1% from April, representing the third consecutive month of rising food prices, which are now at 15-month high, reaching the highest point since February 2024.

“Headline inflation held as higher bills and new business costs introduced in April continued to filter through into the economy,” Kris Hamer, Director of Insight at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said. “Worryingly for consumers, the price of the weekly shop rose once again as food inflation continued its upward trajectory, reaching its highest level since February last year.”

Increases in the cost of sugar, jam and chocolate, which rose at the fastest pace since records began, were among the key contributors to rising food prices. However, Hamer pointed to “some bright spots” where food prices were seeing deflation versus last month, including breakfast items like eggs, bread and cereal.

“Since October, retailers have warned that the costs from the Chancellor’s Budget could not be fully absorbed and would inevitably lead to higher prices for shoppers,” Hamer added. He urged the government to take action to relieve cost pressures retailers.