How much has Christmas lunch gone up in price? Here's what you need to know
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Ho, ho, no! It looks like Christmas lunch is going to get a little more expensive this year.
You'd think preparing food for the holidays would be a little easier with prices lower due to sales and discounted offers, but unfortunately, this isn’t the case.
A recent study by Deakin University's Institute for Health Transformation has revealed that the cost of a classic Aussie Christmas lunch, including a Christmas pudding, pavlova, home-made roast and bread rolls, will cost more per person than last year.
The institute tracks food prices across the country.
Cherries are 30 per cent more expensive than last Christmas, as well as several summer staple foods. Australian growers warned shoppers in the past that this was because of the wet weather. Read more on that here.
Christina Zorbas from Deakin University said: ‘The latest CPI estimates inflation is 9 per cent across the board, but we are seeing fresh produce being the most affected.’
‘We are in a cost-of-living crisis.’
In the data below,1 kilogram of apricots costs $12.93 on average, compared to $7.90/kg a year ago. A 300-gram bag of cherries stands at $8.50 – which is significantly higher compared to its $6.50 price tag in 2021.
Meanwhile, pantry basics like free-range eggs (at $6.80 for 700g) cost a dollar more than last year. And 2 litres of milk is 50 cents pricier.
A whole chicken is going for $5 per kg (35 per cent higher), roast pork is $10 per kg (16 per cent higher), and a six-pack of bread rolls costs $2.50 (25 per cent higher).
Seafood saw a price hike as well, with 300g of raw peeled prawns at $12.50 – 13 per cent higher than last year.
While the price increase may mean a less-lavish Christmas lunch, others are struggling to even put food on their table this season.
Charities, such as Foodbank, have seen a steady increase in demand for their services amid the inflation crisis.
‘We’ve got a food system that can feed up to 60 million Australians, and so there is no reason why we shouldn’t be getting that food to families.’ Dr Zorbas said. She added that the rising cost of food is ‘unlikely’ to subside after Christmas.
‘Things need to change,’ she continued.
The parliamentary standing committee on agriculture is currently examining supply chain vulnerabilities, food security, climate change, and prices, in an attempt to figure out a solution.
Some things can help people ensure they get a filling meal and cut costs at the same time. They can do this by finding cheaper alternatives for their food staples.
For instance, strawberries are (on average) 9 per cent cheaper this year compared to 2021. Mangoes are nearly 30 per cent cheaper.
Potato prices are stable (for now), and both tomato and zucchini prices have dropped significantly.
Iceberg lettuce, which saw a dramatic price increase (150 per cent) mid-year due to floods, dropped down to an affordable $2.28 per head (9 per cent less compared to 2021 prices).
No matter what ends up on the menu this festive season, here's hoping you have a lovely time with family and friends! And, members, if you are struggling to put food on the table, please reach out to Foodbank or even your local community centre. You’d be surprised how many community groups and churches have their own charitable food banks.
Stay safe and merry Christmas!
You'd think preparing food for the holidays would be a little easier with prices lower due to sales and discounted offers, but unfortunately, this isn’t the case.
A recent study by Deakin University's Institute for Health Transformation has revealed that the cost of a classic Aussie Christmas lunch, including a Christmas pudding, pavlova, home-made roast and bread rolls, will cost more per person than last year.
The institute tracks food prices across the country.
Cherries are 30 per cent more expensive than last Christmas, as well as several summer staple foods. Australian growers warned shoppers in the past that this was because of the wet weather. Read more on that here.
Christmas lunch will cost more this year according to industry experts. Credit: Dan Galvani Sommavilla/Pexels
Christina Zorbas from Deakin University said: ‘The latest CPI estimates inflation is 9 per cent across the board, but we are seeing fresh produce being the most affected.’
‘We are in a cost-of-living crisis.’
In the data below,1 kilogram of apricots costs $12.93 on average, compared to $7.90/kg a year ago. A 300-gram bag of cherries stands at $8.50 – which is significantly higher compared to its $6.50 price tag in 2021.
Prices are based on a 4-week average from November each year. Credit: Deakin University Institute for Health Transformation.
Meanwhile, pantry basics like free-range eggs (at $6.80 for 700g) cost a dollar more than last year. And 2 litres of milk is 50 cents pricier.
A whole chicken is going for $5 per kg (35 per cent higher), roast pork is $10 per kg (16 per cent higher), and a six-pack of bread rolls costs $2.50 (25 per cent higher).
Classic Christmas foods were heavily impacted by inflation. Credit: Deakin University Institute for Health Transformation.
Seafood saw a price hike as well, with 300g of raw peeled prawns at $12.50 – 13 per cent higher than last year.
While the price increase may mean a less-lavish Christmas lunch, others are struggling to even put food on their table this season.
Charities, such as Foodbank, have seen a steady increase in demand for their services amid the inflation crisis.
‘We’ve got a food system that can feed up to 60 million Australians, and so there is no reason why we shouldn’t be getting that food to families.’ Dr Zorbas said. She added that the rising cost of food is ‘unlikely’ to subside after Christmas.
‘Things need to change,’ she continued.
The parliamentary standing committee on agriculture is currently examining supply chain vulnerabilities, food security, climate change, and prices, in an attempt to figure out a solution.
Some fruit and vegetables remained steady in price. Credit: Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto/Pexels
Some things can help people ensure they get a filling meal and cut costs at the same time. They can do this by finding cheaper alternatives for their food staples.
For instance, strawberries are (on average) 9 per cent cheaper this year compared to 2021. Mangoes are nearly 30 per cent cheaper.
Potato prices are stable (for now), and both tomato and zucchini prices have dropped significantly.
Looking for cheaper alternatives helps cut back costs? Credit: Deakin University Institute for Health Transformation.
Iceberg lettuce, which saw a dramatic price increase (150 per cent) mid-year due to floods, dropped down to an affordable $2.28 per head (9 per cent less compared to 2021 prices).
Stay safe and merry Christmas!
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