Aldi takes on Woolies, Coles with $7.99 buy
Major supermarkets have launched an unprecedented price war over this particular item, with Aldi beating Coles and Woolworths.
The battle of the Christmas ham has begun with budget German retailer Aldi taking out the award for the cheapest festive season staple.
Aldi is selling nine different Christmas hams from November 12 and the Festive Selection Australian Half Leg Ham is selling for $7.99 per kilogram.
This is in comparison to Woolworths and Coles’ cheapest Christmas ham options, which are both $8 per kilogram.
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Aldi also has a more luxurious option — the Festive Selection Glaze & Bake Ham — that retails for $23.99 per kilogram.
“There’s nothing more iconic over the holiday season than the Christmas Ham, and Aldi is once again proud to offer a range of quality options at prices that won’t break the budget, making it easy to have the star of every family feast on your table this summer,” said Kylie Warnke, Aldi Australia’s shopping expert.
“Christmas is all about sharing special moments with the ones you love, and with that comes different tastes and traditions. We have delicious quality options across our Ham and Turkey ranges so you can create the perfect festive spread to indulge with your family and friends from ALDI without stretching your budget.”
Coles has had its Christmas hams in store since November 5, with their cheapest option — the Smoked Beechwood Half-Leg Ham — retailing for $8 per kilogram.
This is the same price it has been since 2023, and a five-kilogram ham is said to serve up to 26 people.
A new addition to the Christmas ham line-up is the Coles Pulled Ham with Smokey Maple Glaze. Other items include the Brown Sugar Glazed Easy Carve Ham and the Crackling Leg Ham Boneless.
Karen O’Connor, the general manager of meat, deli, and seafood at Coles, said: “We know many families are working with tighter budgets this year, and we’re helping our customers celebrate by delivering value on our most popular hams.
“Our best-selling Single Smoked Beechwood Half-Leg Ham remains at the same great price it’s been since 2023, ensuring everyone can enjoy award-winning quality and value this festive season.
“Christmas looks different for every household, and whether you’re catering for a crowd or enjoying a quiet gathering, Coles has a delicious ham to suit every festive table and budget.”
Woolworths also began to introduce its Christmas hams into stores this month, with the Half Leg Ham costing $8 per kilogram.
Woolworths has 14 hams in the range this year, with items such as Orange, Honey & Mustard Glaze joining the ranks.
Jason McQuaid, the director of deli, poultry, and seafood at Woolworths, said: “The arrival of our Christmas hams is the unofficial signal that festive planning is underway. We know the ham is a non-negotiable centrepiece for millions of Aussie families, and we’ve focused on delivering choice and convenience this year.
“Our 2025 range includes more than 14 ham varieties, offering something for every celebration, cooking skill, and budget. From our premium Gold Triple Smoked options to easy-to-carve options, we’ve curated a selection to make festive entertaining simple and delicious.”
IGA’s Naturally Smoked Leg Ham Bone In also retails for $8 per kilogram.
Christmas hams can keep for several weeks if properly handled, according to the NSW Food Authority’s website.
However, this is in part due to the fact that it is cured, and so while salt-reduced hams are healthier, they will not last as long as conventional hams.
Ways that can help elongate the life of a ham are keeping the fridge at a temperature of 5°C or colder, as this slows bacteria growth, and keeping it in a ham bag soaked in a special mixture and changed every three days.
Sliced ham can only be kept in the fridge for up to three days.
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Originally published as Aldi takes on Woolies, Coles with $7.99 buy
