FDF SCOTLAND COMMENTS AS FOOD AND DRINK INFLATION CONTINUES TO SOAR

FDF Scotland comments as food and drink inflation continues to soar. The ONS inflation data for December shows food and drink price inflation continuing to rise to 16.9%, whilst headline inflation slowed for a second month in a row in December, down to 10.5%. Food and Drink Federation Scotland’s Chief Executive Officer in responded to these latest figures.

Food and Drink Federation Scotland’s Chief Executive Officer David Thomson said:

“Food and drink prices have risen for the seventeenth consecutive month, to 16.9%. These rises continue to be driven by the aftermath of the disruption of COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and poor harvests caused by extreme weather last year – including widespread drought across Europe. The increased costs of ingredients, energy, packaging and the movement of goods in and out of the UK alongside the relative weakness of the pound have only made the situation worse for manufacturers in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“The UK Government’s continued energy support is welcome and will help to contain food and drink price inflation. But there’s certainly more the Scottish and UK governments could be doing to help keep costs down for households – including by urgently simplifying current and prospective regulation.”