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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That's all well and expected because all prices go only one way and that is up however, what I have noticed is that some of chooks being sold are getting smaller. Some I noticed in Woolies were about pigeon size or under-age. I had bantams when I was growing up and they were bigger than the ones on offer. Is this what they call 'shrinkflation' or both Woolies/Coles are not worried about the inquiry into their behaviour/pricing. The Gov. 'talks the talk' but fails miserably on the 'walk the walk'. Just another 'milking of the cash cow', ie: the consumer.
 
Ich habe diese Tauben, die sie als Hähne verkaufen, schon lange nicht mehr gekauft. Cosco hat eine für 6 Dollar und ist 3 mal so groß
For us non German speaking people. Here is the translation. I haven't bought these pigeons that they sell as roosters for a long time. Cosco has one for $6 and is 3 times the size
 
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.
 
I went to Woollies last fortnight and Aldi also. Now the big 2 reckon they are not ripping off customers, but I say, how come Cruskitts at Aldi are $3.49 and at Woollies, $4.00. That's 51 cents more! Come on, stop thinking you are the best shop and start bringing your prices down.
 
Would it not make more sense if Coles actually decreased the price of a cooked chicken instead of matching Woolworths.
They would probably make more out of it instead of really putting the consumers out again.
The cost of living is just getting more and more out of hand, believe it or not, a barbecued chicken can feed a family of 4 and won’t break the bank.
All this rubbish talk from the Government Treasurer, we are aware times are tough, REALLY do they.
I think not because obviously when the leeches are paid in the $$$$$ and everything else they want, put their grubby hands into the coffers of the taxpayers like it’s an open purse, how do they even know or understand how difficult it is just to put a meal on the table.
Both these 2 huge Corporates, Woolworths and Coles, do not give a stuff about their customers, it’s more about bleeding us dry.
 
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?
 
That's all well and expected because all prices go only one way and that is up however, what I have noticed is that some of chooks being sold are getting smaller. Some I noticed in Woolies were about pigeon size or under-age. I had bantams when I was growing up and they were bigger than the ones on offer. Is this what they call 'shrinkflation' or both Woolies/Coles are not worried about the inquiry into their behaviour/pricing. The Gov. 'talks the talk' but fails miserably on the 'walk the walk'. Just another 'milking of the cash cow', ie: the consumer.
Never a truer word has been spoken.. The size can't justify the price. Once a cooked chook could feed a family with some leftover for another day, now it can barely be stretched for one meal no matter two. People are too busy (or lazy), to have time to cook these days therefore, convenience costs, that is also what supermarkets are relying on.
 
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?
True
 
And the suppliers. Don't forget they are always blaming the suppliers for price hikes but they are always getting squeezed. And nothing happens with all these enquiries into the pricing. The big two just keep doing what they do and lining their pockets at everyone else's expense.
 

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