Bread soars 20p a loaf after freak weather hits wheat crops (and pork and chicken may be next for price rise)

By Sean Poulter
PUBLISHED:17:19 EST, 26 October 2012| UPDATED:17:20 EST, 26 October 2012
Comments (97)

THE price of a sliced loaf has leapt by up to 20p in just three months against the background of freak weather on both sides of the Atlantic.

Droughts in the USA and floods in the UK have severely hit wheat crops and driven up prices.

Supermarket research reveals the average price of big brands Hovis, Kingsmill and Warburtons is up by 7p – 6per cent – over the past three months.

Droughts in the US and floods in the UK have hit wheat crops and driven up prices


However, if you a look at some specific products, which sell by the millions every month, the increase has been significantly bigger.

The average price for Kingsmill, which is made by Allied Bakeries, is up by 11p a loaf to £1.35, which equates to a rise of 8.8per cent.

While the price of its popular Everyday Medium White loaf has jumped by 20p, which is an eye-popping 18per cent , to £1.36.

The cost of a loaf of Hovis, made by Premier Foods, is up by 9p – 7per cent - to £1.37.

By contrast, the average price for a loaf of Warburtons has remained unchanged over the past three months at £1.30.More...



The rise in the cost of wheat is part of a bigger picture pointing towards food price rises in the coming weeks and through into 2013.

The wettest summer in 100 years in the UK not only hit the size and quality of British wheat output, but also important crops such a potatoes, carrots and Brussel sprouts.

At the same time, the drought in the USA and parts of Russia has led to a sharp fall in corn or maize crops, along with production of other grain that is used in farm animal feed.




Knock-on effect: Wheat is used in feed by pig and chicken farmers, who face a huge increase in their costs

As a result, pig and chicken farmers face huge increases in their costs and are demanding price rises to ensure that they can continue to make a living.

Details of the bread price rises were revealed by The Grocer magazine, which pointed out that the US drought caused the milling wheat price to leap by 40per cent, to £246 a tonne, in late July and early August.

This increase is now being reflected in what families are paying at the tills.

The poor quality of British wheat means bread makers are having to import expensive supplies to keep the production lines rolling.

The difficulties for producers were highlighted earlier this week when it emerged that Premier Foods has appointed a team to investigate selling off its famous Hovis brand.

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Bread soars 20p a loaf after freak weather hits wheat crops (and pork and chicken may be next for price rise) | Mail Online