Christmas is coming and the supermarkets are getting fat on a big increase in the cost of a turkey dinner.
The cheapest festive meal for eight is some 16 per cent more expensive than last year, according to Good Housekeeping.
The organisation, which has measured prices at the same time for nine years, says the 11 basic ingredients for the big day have never been more expensive.
However, they say it is still possible to put together a turkey feast for eight for as little as £23.54 – £2.94 per head. That is up from £19.82 – £2.48 – a head last year.
The organisation measured the cost of the products across 10 of Britain’s biggest food stores. Marks & Spencer was the only one to show a fall.
The annual study suggests the general increase has been driven by a big rise in the cost of fresh vegetables, specifically potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots and parsnips.
The 11 basic ingredients for Christmas dinner have never been more expensive, according to Good Housekeeping’s annual study
Last year, a number of stores were offering big bags veg for as little as 29p each in November as retailers battled to bring shoppers through the door.
There was no sign of such deals when Good Housekeeping did its survey, however prices will change and reductions may appear over the next four weeks.
There is no obvious reason why veg should be more expensive this year. In fact, British crops have been good and the wholesale prices paid to farmers are lower than a year ago.
The figures are based on whole turkey weighing at least 3.5kg and at least 880g each of potatoes, sprouts, carrots and parsnips. The pudding and cake are at least 900g and there are at least eight mince pies.
The list also includes stuffing mix, cranberry sauce and brandy butter.
The cheapest whole turkey for those who shop around is Lidl’s Braemar, which at £8.99 remains the same price as last year. There was an £8 bird from Asda a year ago.
The cheapest iced top cakes were £3.99 from both Lidl and Aldi. Last year the cheapest option found was £3 from Iceland.
However, they say it is still possible to put together a turkey feast for eight for as little as £23.54 – £2.94 per head. That is up from £19.82 – £2.48 – a head last year
Tesco offers the cheapest large Christmas pudding at just £3, which is below the £3.49 options from Lidl and Aldi a year ago. The best value mince pies are £1.58 from Aldi for two packs of six.
Brussels sprouts are 30p pricier than they were last year, with shoppers scooping up a bag for 58p at Aldi last year and the cheapest at 88p in M&S this year.
Potatoes have also shot up. Last Christmas you could buy a bag for 29p at Aldi, but now the Co-op are charging £1.49.
For people who prefer to buy all the 11 ingredients in one shop, Lidl came out cheapest at £25.53, ahead of £25.68 at Aldi.
The price at Marks & Spencer came down from £49.90 a year ago to £38.43, making it the only one to post a fall. Waitrose was most expensive at £41.47.
Consumer Director at Good Housekeeping, Caroline Bloor, said: ‘Bargains are thin on the ground this Christmas, so supermarket choice is crucial.
‘A turkey will usually be your biggest outlay, so if you can find quality and value, you’ll be off to a great start. Lidl had the cheapest one this year. Now is not the time for loyalty – swapping supermarkets is the best way to save.’