Shoppers are facing big increases in the price of a slew of BBQ favourites, with some products up to 67% more expensive than they were last year, analysis of Assosia data by The Grocer has found.
Across burger, sausage, steak, kebab and chicken thighs and legs lines in the major mults, tight supply and rising farmgate prices are driving significant inflation.
With the UK entering its third heatwave of the summer this weekend, the highest price hike was for a Tesco Beef Quarter Pounders 4 pack (454g) and a Tesco Finest Moroccan Inspired Lamb Kebabs line (460g), which have both increased by 66.7% over the past year [Assosia 52 w/e 07 July 2025].
The next highest rise was seen at Waitrose with its Essential British Beef Rump Steak (230g) up by 60% in a year, from £3.75 to £6.
Nine other lines at the major multiples experienced increases of more than 50% with 132 having increased by more than 20% over the same period.
Inflation has been mounting in the meat and poultry aisles since the turn of the year, driven by record high farmgate prices for beef, due to tight supply, plus similar supply issues in fresh chicken supply chains – caused by the almost total adoption of lower stocking densities (for animal welfare purposes) by major processors and their customers.
“Retailers are continuing to shield shoppers from the full extent of rising costs, even as they absorb a £7 billion hit from the last Budget,” said Harvir Dhillon, economist at the BRC. ”Wholesale prices for both beef and chicken have climbed sharply this year, driven by strong demand and tighter supply both in the UK and globally.”
Read more: Food inflation hits one-year high with steaks ‘more expensive’
BBQ lines have also been increasing in price over the past month, with an Exceptional by Asda Aberdeen Angus Thick Cut 11oz Rump Steak (320g) up 32.2% and a Tesco Fire Pit 2 Salt & Pepper Beef Steaks (200g) up 20%.
The average price increase across BBQ categories was 10.2% for the year, significantly higher than the national inflation rate of 3.4%.
Some chicken lines, meanwhile, are more than 30% more expensive compared to last year, Assosia’s data showed.
Sainsbury’s 540g British Fresh Chicken Skin on Thighs & Drumsticks saw inflation of 33.3% in the period, meanwhile Morrisons British Chicken Thighs (1,000g) was up 31.6% and Morrisons Chicken Drumsticks by 30%.
“Consumers, seeing the price of beef, are switching to more affordable proteins and by and large chicken is the winner,” said Tony Goodger, head of marketing & communications at AIMS. However, he explained this also had a knock-on effect of pushing prices up.
Shoppers were looking for products that were “roughly in line with standard beef burgers and sausages for the BBQ. That has resulted in an increase in demand for chicken thighs and chicken drumsticks causing their prices to rise”, Goodger pointed out.
He added that international chicken supply was also contracting due to the large-scale outbreak of Newcastle Disease in Poland.
“While no retailer is immune to inflation, we work really hard to keep costs down without compromising on the great quality and industry-leading animal welfare standards our customers value, while also paying our British farmers fairly – some of whom we’ve had relationships with for over 40 years,” said a Waitrose spokesperson.
“While prices can go up and down for a range of reasons, we’re committed to offering our customers great choice and value when they shop with us,” said a Sainsbury’s spokesperson. “We have a range of barbeque products currently available on Nectar Prices including Taste the Difference steaks and burgers.”
All retailers were approached for comment.
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