London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Sep 27, 2026

Which food prices will be increased by Brexit?

Which food prices will be increased by Brexit?

As of January 1, Britain stops adhering to European Union rules following Brexit – which means new rules on everything from European flights to what we eat are on the way.

The terms are still under negotiation, so it is not yet known what the changes will be.

However, it is possible that Brexit will have an impact on our food shop prices – as 26% of the food eaten in the UK comes from EU countries, according to gov.uk.

But why would food prices change, and what foods could be affected?

Why would food prices change because of Brexit?


Though the UK left the EU on January 31 2020, no major changes were made to the way trade worked between the two parties.

Those changes will come into play on January 1 2021, after a series of negotiation talks between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU officials.


Could the price of fruit increase due to Brexit?


The changes involve significant import taxes (tariffs) from both sides, which would be required by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) – unless the UK and EU agree a trade deal to carry on without tariffs in the coming days.

This higher cost of import means that the price of the foods would also increase.

Which foods will go up in price because of Brexit?


If a deal isn’t agreed, and WTO rules come into place, it’s likely certain products in our supermarkets will become slightly more expensive.

It’s still speculation at the moment, but here’s what that could look like:

Pork, bacon and beef – slightly more expensive bacon is a possibility in the event of a ‘no-deal’ scenario.

Brie – Tesco chair John Allan recently suggested that brie prices could rise by 40% if import taxes are implemented.

Fruit and veg – unbranded products from the EU could see a price rise of 12.5%, depending on what happens during trade negotiations, according to the BBC.


Chicken, fruit and veg prices are thought to be affected by tariffs


Halloumi or Roquefort cheese – these cheeses could be 55% more expensive, according to the London School of Economics.

Fresh chicken – tariffs could reach 12p per chicken, according to Which? That doesn’t necessarily mean customers will pay 12p extra, though.

Will any food prices drop because of Brexit?


Even if a deal IS agreed, it’s highly unlikely any prices on EU food products will drop.

The London School of Economics estimates that with a variety of other costs adding up, there’ll be a 4.7% price rise on unbranded products from the EU.

That said, as new trade deals with non-EU countries roll in, anything could happen.

Just remember that cheaper doesn’t always equal better – especially as extremely low prices might be devastating competition for UK farmers, who currently supply around 50% of the country’s food.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Civil Aviation Authority Launches Review of Air Traffic Systems Following Digital Failure
X Reports First Increase in UK Revenues Following Advertiser Boycott
Shetland Islands Council Approves £400 Million Inter-Island Tunnel Project
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband Warns Iran Against Hostile Activities on British Soil
UK Ministers Concede Chagos Islands Sovereignty Agreement Terminated After US Opposition
More in Common Poll Projects Hung Parliament with Labour Leading and Reform UK Gains
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Defends Economic Strategy as Public Finances Face Headwinds
Tony Blair Urges Government to Set Long-Term Goal of Rejoining the European Union
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Pledges Universal Free Social Care Funded Through General Taxation
UK Diesel and Petrol Prices Surge Near All-Time Highs Amid Middle East Energy Volatility
Analysis of Reform UK conference highlights deep political divisions over welfare and immigration
Bangladesh garment exports to the United Kingdom reach $915 million in early fiscal year
Royal Navy begins sea trials for new HMS Agamemnon hunter-killer submarine
New report suggests UK data centre expansion will create far fewer jobs than predicted
Major weekend closures announced for London Underground Piccadilly and Central lines
NHS leaders call for emergency winter funding to combat staffing shortages and rising illness
Far-right activist Daniel Thomas charged following alleged slashing of migrant dinghy
Home Secretary orders urgent review of border security following rise in small boat crossings
Prime Minister Andy Burnham to address Labour Party conference amid calls for long-term infrastructure plan
UK Treasury and Bank of England warn of rising inflation risks amid Middle East tensions
Royal Navy Diving Squadron Honoured for Global Bomb Disposal Efforts
UK State Pension Set to Approach £13,000 Per Year Under Triple-Lock
Rolls-Royce Wins Multi-Million-Pound Engine Contract with Philippine Airlines
TfL Questions Future of Heathrow Express Amid Proposed £33 Billion Expansion
Ed Miliband Warns Iran Against Hostile Operations on British Soil
S&P Global Manufacturing Index Signals Stabilization Amid Rising Fuel Costs
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Launches National Centre for Information Defence
UK Food and Drink Trade Deficit Surges to £21.1 Billion
OECD Upgrades United Kingdom Economic Growth Forecast to 1.1 Percent
Bank of England Faces Policy Challenges as Energy Prices Push Inflation Projections Higher
IMF Urges UK and Major Economies to Reduce Public Borrowing and Debt
UK Government Concedes Chagos Islands Sovereignty Deal is Dead Following Trump Opposition
Prosecutors Seek More Than 10 Years in Prison for Former DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson
UK Provided £66 Million in Emergency Security Funding for Mosques After Southport Disorder
Manston Inquiry Examines Role of Government Decisions in 2022 Overcrowding Crisis
Justice System Capacity Pressures Raise Concerns Over Release of Sex Offenders
UK Food and Drink Trade Deficit Widens to Record £21.1 Billion
UK Releases Climate Security Findings Previously Withheld Under Starmer
TalkTalk Races to Sell Consumer and Broadband Businesses as Administration Threat Looms
NHS Bodies Impose Minimum Two-Year Waits for ADHD and Autism Assessments
Andy Burnham Pledges £210 Million to Revive Boarded-Up High Streets
UK Borrowing Reaches £18.3 Billion in August Ahead of Autumn Budget
Vistry Cuts Profit Outlook as Losses Deepen and Private Home Sales Weaken
Reported Assaults on Great Britain’s Railways Rise Sharply
Far-Right Activist Daniel Thomas Arrested After Channel Dinghy Slashing
Ukrainians in Britain Face Greater Homelessness Risk as Host Payments Are Cut
Scottish Drug Deaths Rise as Synthetic Opioids Spread
UK Diesel Prices Approach Record High as Energy Costs Intensify
UK Food and Drink Trade Deficit Widens to Record £21 Billion
Britain’s Largest Planned AI Supercomputer Delayed by Power Grid Constraints
×