It emerged this week that inflation in Jersey has gone up again amid a much deeper and longer-running squeeze on household finances… so what has that meant for YOUR shopping basket? Express dissects…
New figures released this week show Jersey’s inflation rate has crept up to 2.6%, the first rise in over two years.
And while the headline rate is far below the double-digit highs of 2022, a closer look at Jersey’s typical shopping basket reveals just how much more islanders are paying for basic goods than they were five years ago.
The latest data shows that the price of an average food shop has increased by 4.2% over the past year.
Compared with five years ago, some everyday items now cost more than 30% more – and in some cases, nearly double.
So, where are the biggest changes, and how are shoppers responding?
Express broke down the latest basket data and spoke with retailers and customer representatives to find out…
Meat, dairy and oils have seen the largest price increases
According to Statistics Jersey, the cost of meat, dairy products and cooking oils has gone up significantly.
- The price of beef is nearly 50% higher than it was five years ago.
- Lamb has increased by 53%, and pork by 40%.
- Poultry has risen by almost 27% over the same period.
Dairy prices have also continued to climb.
- The price of butter is now 35% higher than in 2020.
- Cheese has increased by 26%, and eggs by 23% in the last five years.
- Milk has gone up by 34% in the same period.
The cost of food oils and fats has risen by 58%, which is the highest percentage increase recorded across food categories.
Prices of bread, tea and sugar have also gone up
Basic grocery items have also become more expensive.
- The cost of bread is 33% higher than five years ago.
- Biscuits and cakes increased by 37% in the same time period.
- Sugar is up by 31% since 2020.
- Tea has increased by 37% and coffee by 27% in five years.
Vegetables more expensive
The cost of fresh produce has increased steadily.
- Fresh vegetables are now 32% more expensive than in 2020.
- Non-processed potatoes have increased by 27% in the same period.
- Processed vegetables have gone up by 30% in five years.
Shopping at a glimpse
| One-year change (%) | Five-year change (%) | |
| BREAD | 5.5% | 32.7% |
| CEREALS | -1.9% | 14.8% |
| BISCUITS & CAKES | 5.9% | 36.7% |
| BEEF | 24.9% | 49.4% |
| LAMB | 13.1% | 53.2% |
| PORK | 7.7% | 40.5% |
| BACON | 3.8% | 38.8% |
| POULTRY | 0.5% | 26.7% |
| OTHER MEAT | 2.3% | 38.1% |
| FISH (NOT FRESH) | 0.0% | 19.8% |
| FISH (FRESH) | 2.1% | 26.7% |
| BUTTER | 6.2% | 34.7% |
| OILS & FAT | 6.8% | 58.3% |
| CHEESE | 5.6% | 25.9% |
| EGGS | 3.8% | 23.1% |
| MILK | 2.7% | 34.1% |
| MILK PRODUCTS | -2.8% | 14.8% |
| TEA | 8.9% | 36.7% |
| COFFEE, COCOA, ETC. | 9.0% | 27.2% |
| SOFT DRINKS | 4.3% | 24.5% |
| SUGAR & PRESERVES | 1.8% | 30.9% |
| SWEETS & CHOCOLATE | 10.3% | 32.5% |
| PROCESSED POTATOES | 8.5% | 30.4% |
| NON-PROCESSED POTATOES | 4.0% | 26.7% |
| PROCESSED VEGETABLES | -3.1% | 30.1% |
| FRESH VEGETABLES | 13.2% | 31.8% |
| PROCESSED FRUIT | 6.1% | 22.2% |
| FRESH FRUIT | -14.1% | -0.1% |
| OTHER FOODS | 7.9% | 43.5% |
| BEER ON PREMISE SALES | 7.4% | 31.0% |
| BEER OFF PREMISE SALES | 2.5% | 17.3% |
| WINE & SPIRITS ON PREMISE SALES | 4.8% | 31.9% |
| WINES & SPIRITS OFF PREMISES SALES | 2.5% | 14.0% |
| CIGARETTES | 8.2% | 48.3% |
| OTHER TOBACCO | 10.6% | 75.1% |
| PETROL & OIL | -9.6% | 27.1% |
Why are prices rising?
According to retailers like the Channel Islands Co-op, the rising cost of raw ingredients, energy and labour in the UK – where most of Jersey’s food supply comes from – are among the main drivers.
Channel Islands Co-op CEO Mark Cox explained: “We know rising food prices are a real worry for many, and we’re working hard to help our members wherever we can.
“Jersey isn’t immune to rising costs coming from challenges in the UK and across global supply chains, and food inflation is something many communities are facing right now.
“The cost of fresh produce, energy, and key ingredients like butter, coffee, and meat have all gone up, alongside higher National Insurance and National Living Wage costs for UK producers.
“These pressures are pushing up prices, but we’re doing everything we can to help.”
What does this mean for islanders?
Mr Cox added that shoppers are adapting their habits in response to increased food costs by “popping in more frequently, and making the most of promotions” to control their spending.
“Promotions now account for a bigger share of our sales as members look for value with every shop, and we’re working hard to keep these offers coming to help them save,” he added.
Jersey Consumer Council chair Carl Walker added that the cost of food “continues to go up almost weekly” and that food banks were still “inundated” helping people where both parents are working and still struggling.
He added that consumers can sometimes save £15 to £20 by shopping around, but accepted that it isn’t an option for everyone.
“We accept it’s not practical to travel the island to do your shopping, but it’s important that consumers educate themselves on where certain items are cheapest, so that when they’re passing those shops, they can pick them up and make savings,” said Mr Walker.
Food charities are also reporting higher levels of demand, not just from the unemployed, but from working families who can no longer make their wages stretch to cover the basics.
Responding to the figures, Treasury Minister Elaine Millar said: “It is a slight concern to see inflation rising once more, but we’re thankful that the numbers remain relatively low compared to recent years.
“We are seeing pressures build from abroad, as was shown with recent increases in UK inflation, but we must also be wary of on-island inflationary pressures.”