London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Aug 04, 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
Europe’s Drying Rivers Trigger Power Cuts, Factory Shutdowns and Wildfire Emergencies
Nigel Farage Expresses Openness to Potential Alliance with Restore Britain
AstraZeneca Merger Talks Reflect Intensifying Pharmaceutical Consolidation
University Merger May Set Template for Higher Education Reform
Apple's Legal Challenge Highlights Growing Tension Over Encryption and Surveillance
Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Agenda Signals Shift Toward Greater Regional Devolution
Mental Health Trust Faces Criticism Over Planned £25 Million Budget Cuts
Scientists and Cultural Leaders Call for Funding to Save Jodrell Bank Observatory
UK Manufacturing Output Reaches Highest Level in Nearly Two Years
University of Greenwich and University of Kent Complete Landmark Merger
Nigel Farage Unveils Naval Border Proposal Amid Questions Over £5 Million Donation
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Pledges Tougher Action on Small Boat Crossings
Apple Challenges UK Government Over Encrypted Data Access Demands
AstraZeneca Shares Fall After Reports of $400 Billion Bristol Myers Squibb Merger Talks
Triple Lock Lifts UK State Pension but Leaves a Wider Retirement Gap
Danube Drought Forces Hungary’s Paks Nuclear Plant Into Full Shutdown
Ceuta Death Toll Rises as Spain and Europe Clash Over Border Response
Cuba’s Grid Fails Again as Fuel Crisis Deepens
Nazca Lines Flight Crash Kills Thirteen as Peru Suspends Aerodiana
Modern Slavery Decisions Broaden the Al Fayed Inquiry’s Frame
FIFA’s Retreat Leaves a Larger Question Over Who Guards the Game
Two Firefighting Crew Members Die in Helicopter Collision West of Athens
Public Sector Automation Through Artificial Intelligence
Regional Investment Beyond London
Protection of Strategic Technology Assets
UK Competition Regulator Blocks Major Foreign Takeover of British Quantum Computing Firm
UK Government Commits Two Billion Pounds to Modernise Northern Rail Network
UK Parliament Approves Planning Reforms to Accelerate Housing Construction on Green Belt Land
Scotland Approves Major Floating Offshore Wind Expansion in the North Sea
United Kingdom and European Union Sign Defence and Critical Minerals Cooperation Agreement
NHS Invests Five Hundred Million Pounds in Artificial Intelligence Diagnostics to Reduce Waiting Lists
Bank of England Cuts Interest Rate to Three Point Seven Five Percent as Inflation Pressures Ease
Ceuta Border Surge Recasts Europe’s Migration Debate
Burnham Promises a Harder Channel Response as Crossings Test His New Government
Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games End With Organisers Defending Smaller Format as Sustainable Model
Reform UK Faces Labour Criticism Over Nigel Farage Leadership Return Discussions
Environment Agency Restricts River Thames Navigation as Low Water Levels Raise Concerns
UK Government Launches Free Bus Travel Scheme for Children During Summer Holidays
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Confirms October Budget Date and Plans Wider Regional Funding Shift
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Promises Tougher Action on Small Boat Crossings Amid European Migration Pressure
UK Economic Growth Forecast Raised Slightly as Inflation Expected to Remain Above Target Until 2029
National Farmers Union Warns of Food Shortage Risks as Drought and Heatwaves Damage UK Crops
Finland Deploys Commercial-Scale Thermal Batteries Using Crushed Rock to Store Renewable Grid Energy
Valued at $109 Million: F-35B Fighter Jet Crashes in Southern California
Sainsbury Agrees to Sell Argos in £120 Million Deal to Private Consortium
High Court Clears Way for Construction of Chinese Embassy at Royal Mint Court
UK Fuel Prices Climb to Multi-Month Highs as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Disrupt Oil Supplies
Severe Summer Drought and Record Heat Put UK Harvests at Risk
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Faces Labour Backbench Opposition Over Potential Support for New North Sea Oil and Gas Drilling
Bank of England Warns Inflation Will Stay Above 3% as Middle East Energy Shock Prolongs Cost-of-Living Pressures
×