Crisps to become pricier by 2.2 percent

Crisps in the country may become pricier as experts are warning of a 2.2 per cent price rise, stated recent reports, as snack makers continue to face an increase in the cost of ingredients, including sunflower oil, due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

As per recent reports, average price of a six pack of Walkers crisps will rise to £1.69 in the coming months, with prices currently around £1.65 in some supermarkets. 

Prices of the salty snack have already been driven up by 9.6 per cent in the last 12 months due to a spike in the cost of potatoes, increased energy costs and post-Covid supply issues.

But while any price rises will likely be a matter of pennies, it will be yet another cost increase on Britons, who are already facing huge increases on their gas bills, as well as a National Insurance rise and spiralling inflation rates of around 7 per cent.

According to price comparison website MySupermarket, such a rise could see a 4p increase in multi-packs of classic Walkers and a 5p increase in the cost of a 200g tin of Pringles.

Upmarket crisps like Tyrells, which are usually priced around £2.29 for a 150g bag when not on offer, could increase to £2.34, while Kettle crisps could also rise by around 5p to £2.05.

Meanwhile, Frazzles are likely to be immune from the big ingredient cost rises, as they are made out of maize, rather than potato, and cooked with rapeseed oil, rather than sunflower oil.

Data from commodity analysts Mintec shows that the cost of potatoes has been rising at a hefty rate, with the cost per metric tonne increasing 166per cent year on year.

Potato growers are struggling with the wider rise in fertiliser and energy costs. There has also been an increase in labour costs following Brexit and Covid, with farmers increasing wages by up to 60 per cent last summer to almost £20 an hour to combat a chronic labour shortage, reports said.