British consumers are experiencing a notable rise in the cost of mince pies, a cherished Christmas treat, as a result of a significant shortage in the global sultana supply.
The price of mince pies has sharply increased across major UK supermarkets. Tesco, for instance, has seen its premium mince pie packs jump from £2.50 to £3.50, marking a 40% increase. Similarly, other leading supermarkets like Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons have noted an average price hike of 26% over the past two years, as per data from Assosia reported by The Telegraph.
The root of this price surge can be traced back to the sultana market, primarily affected by two successive years of poor harvests in Turkey, the world’s largest sultana producer. This downturn has led Turkish sultana prices to soar to near-record highs, currently at $3,600 (£2,800) per tonne. The constraint in sultana supply is part of a broader trend impacting Christmas essentials, as outlined in the latest Kantar data.
Beyond the rise in mince pie prices, the cost of an average Christmas dinner for a family of four has risen by 6.5%, now totalling £32.57. Key components such as turkey and vegetables have seen significant price increases. Potatoes, for instance, have surged by 16.2% to £1.65, with cauliflower and carrots following at rises of 14.6% and 11.4% respectively.
This development underscores a broader inflationary trend affecting festive goods, reflecting global supply chain disruptions that are reverberating through the UK marketplace.
The escalating cost of mince pies and other festive staples highlights the vulnerability of supply chains to environmental factors. With Christmas approaching, UK consumers are urged to prepare for a more expensive holiday season.
