Grocery prices continue to rise steadily with some products seeing 91 per cent increase in two years

Grocery prices are continuing to soar, with some products seeing hikes of more than 90 per cent. SEE THE LIST

Supermarket prices have been steadily increasing for almost three years, with some products seeing a whopping 91 per cent price hike throughout the pandemic, according to the latest figures.

New data from comparison app Frugal has found the cost of Queensland’s everyday groceries has continued to soar since before the pandemic with fresh produce climbing the highest in a cost comparison of prices as January 2020, to January 2022 and again to August 2022.

Before the pandemic, brushed potatoes cost shoppers $0.35 per kilogram before jumping to $0.67 per kilogram 12 months later, showing an increase of 91 per cent.

Similarly, a head of broccoli also jumped 91 per cent from $1.68 per head at the start of 2020 to $3.22 a head at the same time two years later.

Cherry tomatoes also saw a significant jump of 68 per cent from 2020 to last month, going from $2.59 for 250g to $4.35.

Meanwhile, strawberries jumped from $2.26 in January 2020 to $3.10 for a 250g punnet the same time two years later.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported 5.9 per cent inflation of food and non-alcoholic beverages from June quarter 2021 to June quarter 2022, with supply shortages, Covid, labour cost hikes and bad weather to blame.

But supermarkets are continuing to work against inflation rates with a Coles spokesman saying cost freezes and reductions were ongoing throughout the year.

“We understand that cost pressures including increases in mortgage payments are squeezing household budgets, which is why we’re so focused on delivering value,” he said.

“Last month, we commenced our latest round of price reductions to cut the price of more than 500 products.”

This included peanut butter, grated cheese, self raising flour and roast pork.

Meanwhile, a Woolworths spokeswoman said the supermarket had seen five times as many requests for price increases from suppliers and it’s expected this will continue as inflation continues to impact production costs.

“We are seeing some customers opt for other types of protein in place of beef or purchase frozen vegetables to supplement fresh following higher prices as a result of poor growing conditions,” she said.

“As conditions improve and farmers harvest crops planted in recent months, the supply of fresh vegetables has increased and brought the return of lower prices, with iceberg lettuce now selling for under $2 a head.”

Woolworths financial report found that inflation had been most evident across long-life categories including drinks and household care, as well as meat, mostly beef, and vegetables.

Whereas fruit continued to be in deflation.

Price increases from January 2020 to August 2022

Brushed Potato (each) $0.35 to 0.67 up 91%

Cherry Tomatoes (250g)$2.59 to $4.35 up 68%

Strawberries (250g) $2.26 to $3.60 up 59%

Broccoli $1.68 to $2.64 up 57%

Classic Olive Oil (1l) $7.00 to $10.73 up 53%

Green Capsicum $1.54 to $2.26 up 47%

Frozen Mixed Berries (500g) $4.00 to $5.88 up 47%