Qlders go hungry as everyday groceries double in price

Premier Steven Miles says he will take supermarket executives to task over rocketing prices, with the cost of some products doubling over the past four years. SEE THE BASICS THAT NOW COST DOUBLE

The price of some everyday grocery products has doubled over the past four years as Queenslanders grapple with cost-of-living increases – and one in four households are now experiencing hunger.

New analysis of major supermarket prices between 2021 and 2024 show significant cost hikes across popular branded products and staple items.

Basic items like a bag of McCain mixed frozen peas, corn and carrot has shot up more than 50 per cent since 2021, with shoppers now forking out $4 for the 500g of vegetables compared to a previous $2.60.

Cans of Heinz baked beans increased 40 per cent, rising from $2 to $2.80 and toilet cleaner shot up from $5 to $7, also by increasing 40 per cent.

Aussie fan favourites Milo and Golden Circle Golden Pash juice spiked 20 per cent, while a packet of Tim Tam Originals jumped 12.5 per cent.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles will grill the executives of most of the nation’s largest supermarkets when he meets them on Thursday.

Mr Miles revealed he would ask the supermarkets for an explanation why people were paying more for food.

“Most of them have confirmed they can meet with me on Thursday, where we’ll have that discussion,” he said.

“I hope that in the very least, the scrutiny that will put on them will encourage them to be more upfront with consumers and do everything that they can to make good food as affordable as possible.

“These grocery stores are making big profits and those profits are coming from reduced farm gate prices for farmers and increased costs of food for Queensland families.”

Jess Waterson from Ascot with six-month-old Oliver and 18-month-old Jack at Woolworths Ascot – Picture: Richard Walker

The price increases come after Foodbank’s 2023 Hunger Report found increased cost of food, fuel, and home gas and electricity were the leading causes of hunger in Queensland, with one in three households unable to afford groceries at some point last year.

The staggering shopping price increases have been revealed in a Compare the Market analysis of trolley favourites.

The research found that of the 29 items, there was an average 40 per cent price jump.

But the biggest increase was Monini Classico extra virgin olive oil, which doubled in price from $12 to $24, while a 4kg packet of potatoes now costs $9 instead of $5.90.

A packet of Red Rock Deli sea salt chips will now set shoppers back $6.30 compared to $4.65 in 2021, and a 500g block of Bega tasty cheese has gone from $8 up to $10.50.

A 2L Biozet Attack laundry liquid bottle increased more than 18 per cent and a packet of D’orsogna shaved ham now costs $36 per kg compared to $31.50 in 2021 and 2022.

Compare the Market’s Chris Ford said price hikes had significantly impacted families who were already doing it tough.

Natalie Ryan & Vivien Lohr, volunteers for City Point Church filling up at the Foodbank Queensland, Morningside. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

He said price hikes for olive oil could be due to natural disasters overseas, but there were “many factors”, including ­severe weather events, that contributed to the increases.

“There’s currently an olive oil shortage due to fires and droughts in Europe, which could be why we’re seeing a 100 per cent price increase since 2021 for particular products,” he said.

“Severe weather events have had a particularly devastating impact on our produce industry and companies could be paying more to produce and ship the items we rely on.”

With just two grocery bags in the trolley, Ascot local Jess Waterson and her two sons Oliver and Jack paid $200 for a midweek food stock-up.

“It definitely is more expensive; this whole trolley was close to $200 and we have barely bought anything,” Mrs Waterson said.

“It’s not particular items, it’s everything at the moment.”

“With two kids so close together I have found that it is not so much the nappies that are getting more expensive, but the baby wipes. It is the things that you don’t expect.

“Compared to last year, prices are about the same. It has been expensive for some time now.”

Meanwhile, Hamilton local Maureen Lobo said she’s switched to daily small shops over weekly larger shops.

Volunteer Ashley Clark helps to sort donations from Quest Newspaper readers at Foodbank Queensland, Morningside. Picture: Richard Walker

“I definitely buy a lot more home brand from Coles and Woolworths to save money instead of buying the more expensive stuff,” she said.

Foodbank Queensland chief executive Jess Watkinson said food insecurity was rife and was now affecting families who had never experienced not being able to afford grocery shops before.

“The increases in the cost of living can lead to food insecurity as it forces people to make compromises on what and when they are eating,” she said.

“The 2023 Foodbank ­Hunger Report has shown that one in three Queensland households continues to experience food insecurity each year. “Food insecurity is now being experienced in homes it has never touched before.

“At Foodbank Queensland we believe everyone should have access to food.

“As our state battles with natural disasters and increases in living costs we are working with more than 300 frontline charities and 300 schools to deliver food and meals to Queenslanders in need.”