Supermarkets raise prices again for this everyday staple as cost-of-living strain hits budget meals

In the dance of supermarket pricing, the music has changed once again, and it's not to the tune that budget-conscious shoppers would like to hear.

A common food in many Australian households has seen its price flutter upwards in a move that has left many consumers ruffling their feathers.

As inflation continues to impact grocery bills, it has prompted concerns about the affordability of everyday staples.


It's disappointing news for roast chicken lovers, as both Woolworths and Coles have quietly raised the price of one of Australia's favourite go-to meals.

For those who have been keeping a keen eye on their grocery bills, this isn't the first time the cost of a roast chook has taken flight.


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Woolworths and Coles have raised the price of their home-brand roast chickens to $12.50, an increase of 50 cents. Credit: Woolworths and Coles


Back in May 2023, Woolworths, often referred to as the ‘Fresh Food People’, ‘reluctantly’ confirmed that their Country Style Roast Chicken would peck an extra dollar from wallets, bringing the price from $11 up to $12.

Coles, not to be outdone, matched the price with their RSPCA Approved Whole Chicken Roast.

However, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to peck away at our budgets, and with an ACCC inquiry looming over the industry, neither Woolworths nor Coles is content to let their chickens roost at the $12 mark.


Both of these grocery giants have now decided to increase the price of their home-brand roast chickens by an additional 50 cents.

That's right, a roast chook from either Woolworths or Coles will now set you back $12.50.

‘The price of our roast chickens has recently increased by 50 cents as a result of the higher prices we are paying our suppliers,’ a Woolworths spokesperson explained.

‘The wholesale cost of chicken has increased across the market over the last 12 months due to a range of factors including higher feed costs.’


It's a significant increase from the days of 2015 when the price war saw roast chickens plummet to a mere $8. Those days now seem like a distant memory, a golden era of affordable convenience.

However, in 2018, the dream ended when both Woolworths and Coles raised their roast chicken prices by one dollar, bringing the total to $9.

Then, in February 2022, the price returned to $11, where it stayed for 15 months until Woolworths acknowledged that the cost-of-living crisis had affected the once-affordable staple.


‘At Woolworths, we understand that every dollar counts and work hard to provide value for customers every time they shop with us while balancing the needs of our suppliers,’ another spokesperson stated in May 2023.

‘For the first time since February 2022, we reluctantly increased the price of our roast chickens by $1 due to an increase in input costs.’

‘We still believe our delicious hot roast chooks provide excellent value whether it's for a dinner for the family or to share at a picnic with friends,’ they added.

As for Coles, they have been reached out for comment, but at the time of writing, there has been no response.

It's clear, though, that both supermarkets are navigating the same turbulent waters when it comes to supply chain costs.


With the price of roast chickens climbing to $12.50 at both Woolworths and Coles, shoppers are feeling the pinch on this once-affordable staple.

However, savvy customers have found clever ways to ease the burden, with some revealing their secrets to scoring free roast chickens from Woolworths and Coles.

Whether through loyalty programs or promotional offers, there are still ways to enjoy a delicious roast chook without breaking the bank.
Key Takeaways
  • Woolworths and Coles have increased the price of their home-brand roast chickens to $12.50, up by 50 cents.
  • The price rise has been linked to higher costs being passed on from suppliers, with factors such as increased feed costs affecting wholesale prices.
  • This is not the first price increase for roast chickens, with previous increases over the years from both Woolworths and Coles.
  • Amidst the cost-of-living crisis, Woolworths has expressed understanding of customer concerns but insists that roast chickens still offer good value for family meals or gatherings.
  • Woolworths and Coles have not maintained their previous $12 price point, implying that inflationary pressures are impacting even staple grocery items.
We'd love to hear from you, our Seniors Discount Club members, on how these price increases are affecting your grocery shopping habits. Have you found creative ways to stretch your dollar further? Are you opting for different meal choices? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below, and let's help each other navigate these challenging times with wisdom and resourcefulness.
 

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Lots of cost rising every where and it is sneaky. Each week I buy the same products and have just watched the prices rise weekly. It is becoming ridiculous. It is not competition for best price any more. My Foxtel bill today came with a huge $36.00 rise, something I probably will not be continuing as I do not see that it is worth it any more. The costs are just going up so much but income is not. Why is this happening to the extent it is?
Because the current Government is feeding inflation. We need to rid ourselves of the major parties and go back to independents as it was before WWII. Instead of these people dictating what they want, have a government that will do as the people want.
 
I once bought a Woolies roast chicken years ago, when they were cheap, but it had horrible stuffing on it so never got one again.

I now get their Steggles fresh chicken when they lower the price per kg by a lot and have barbecue chicken and chips every Saturday. 🙂
A few weeks ago I bought a 3.02kg chicken there for $11.95. It fed 4 adults and a couple of small kids and some left over. 👍😁
 
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I once bought a Woolies roast chicken years ago, when they were cheap, but it had horrible stuffing on it so never got one again.

I now get their Steggles fresh chicken when they lower the price per kg by a lot and have barbecue chicken and chips every Saturday. 🙂
A few weeks ago I bought a 3.02kg chicken there for $11.95. It fed 4 adults and a couple of small kids and some left over. 👍😁
Yes, plus it makes yummy toasted sandwiches with leftovers.
 
IGA roast chickens are $13.50 here
IGA, in all its forms, such as The Good Grocer in WA, is the biggest thief of all. For example:-

Whole Chicken - Woolworths $5.00/kg, The Good Grocer $8.99/kg.

Lamb Cutlets - Woolworths $43.00/kg, The Good Grocer $79.99/kg.

Where we live, there is a Good Grocer next door. The nearest Woolworths is 800 metres away.
 
While I do think the price changes are hard to take I do however I understand as wages go up so must the cost of supplies. Didn't the Government just bring in that part timers etc must be paid the same as full timers? Not only that these stores keep having spend $20 and get a point towards a special item? Therefore these have to be paid for by someone whether you want the item or not.
 
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Costco shoppers have to pay to be members. Their chickens are great and in shopping terms they are called loss leaders. It doesn't mean they lose money but may not make any. They are in such a position in the store that shoppers have to navigate past a whole bunch of other goods and you know what...they probably buy some of them. You certainly wouldn't feed a family of 5 on a Coles or Woolworths chicken but you could certainly dismantle them to make half a dozen sandwiches or divide to comfortably feed a couple.
If you are able to go to Costco then it's worth it.
I go maybe 6 times a year and I definitely get my membership worth.

I buy bulk it paper towel and nuttalex butter .
If we have an event eg baby shower / bridal shower which we usually have at least 2 a year we go out and buy their muffins ect.

Everytime we go out we also buy a couple of chickens and their very extra large freshly cooked pizza which is $15.

We always get our moneys worth.
 
Well I guess we could all stop shopping at both Woolies and Coles. Difficult, but once consumers start dropping off they might just realise how important we are. Even just stopping buying roast chickens might make some difference.
 

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