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?
GREED BROTHER GREED
 
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?
Maybe it's because we all jus keep buying, regardlessof rising peices so supermarkets know they'll profit, not lose!

And wages dont rise because everyone shuts up rather than support each other (as per union stronger together, not just a slogan)!

People are weak/soft these times & rather whinge than take action!
 
You deserve a medal for no cooked chooks 30 years.
Cooking chicken in its myriad of forms is my forte. Anything from a huge variety of stir fry to cacciatore to roast drumsticks and whole chickens.

Stuffing a chook with a breadcrumb based stuffing is the biggest no-no in preparing chicken. Separating the skin from the flesh is the way to go with a butter based herb/spice mix as well as coating the cavity with the same type of mix.

Anybody who undercooks or overcooks a chook deserves to hand in their cooking licence!
 
Cosco roast chickens $6 and are
much bigger how can they do this and not Coles and Woolworths?????
Those too have gone up and are limited to 2 per customer... if they are available..... Custo seems to suffer the same supply chain problems as Aldi on the basics..... ALWAYS out of stock.
 
Depends where you live too. I chose to move to small country town so going without fresh cooked chicken is usual. Sure tastes good when we are in the city.
Yes it does. As I said I forgot they existed. At least they delivered when KFC didn't. Most of those places didn't deliver until COVID dropped in on us. Merry Christmas and a Happy New 🎄❤️
 
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Cooking chicken in its myriad of forms is my forte. Anything from a huge variety of stir fry to cacciatore to roast drumsticks and whole chickens.

Stuffing a chook with a breadcrumb based stuffing is the biggest no-no in preparing chicken. Separating the skin from the flesh is the way to go with a butter based herb/spice mix as well as coating the cavity with the same type of mix.

Anybody who undercooks or overcooks a chook deserves to hand in their cooking licence!
I cook a tomato and onion seasoning in a seperate dish in the oven. It goes with any roast meat. Passed the recipe to my daughter's 20 years ago. I have found that they all cook this seasoning for a roast and none of them stuff a chicken or any other meat. They all like this seasoning and always cook it now with a roast. It's great as everyone can use as much seasoning as they like. They all love it
 
the culling thousands of chooks because of the false bird flu epidemic is the reason behind this and causing the shortage of eggs.
they are using the same testing system that they used for the COVID Bullshit which when run to high it will all ways give false positives.
And you can guess WHO is behind all this bullshit
 
  • Wow
Reactions: BeautifulMousey
We, the public, are here to make the supermarkets richer. The government and ACCC are useless, just pontificating and giving us "tips" on how to buy, knowing we have no choice. Same as the airlines, competition discouraged. And those who give us "tips" on school holidays as to where to go for cheaper fuel. The government smirking down from ahigh while collecting the fuel tax and doing nothing about regulating the inevitable school holiday price hikes.
 
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 we are stupid white diggas, here to dig stuff for the mining, gas and petroleum industries, get paid worthless aussie dollars, the get ripped off by all the financial institutions and foreign owned utilities. Also it came to my attention several years ago that virtually the entire australian agricultural supply chain is foreign owned.
 
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Reactions: BeautifulMousey
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?
 
  • Like
Reactions: BeautifulMousey
Because we are stupid white diggas, here to dig stuff for the mining, gas and petroleum industries, get paid worthless aussie dollars, the get ripped off by all the financial institutions and foreign owned utilities. Also it came to my attention several years ago that virtually the entire australian agricultural supply chain is foreign owned.
It is Woolworths 100 year anniversary today - wouldn't it be nice if they gave their customers a gift of say 10 - 15% off grocery total??? They can sure afford it.
 
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