Butter has risen in price in supermarkets by as much as 21% over the past month.
Data analysed by trade magazine The Grocer found 37 out of 117 lines at the major supermarkets have gone up in price in the five weeks to November 13. Branded butter is the most affected, for example Trewithen Salted Block Butter 250g has soared 20.8% at Tesco, from £2.40 to £2.90.
Meanwhile, all Things Butter Garlic & Herb Butter 125g is up 20% in Waitrose, and Country Life British Salted 250g and Unsalted Butter 250g at Sainsbury’s are up 13%. Own-brand products have also seen rises. For example, Asda's 250g block butter is up almost 6% to £1.92. At Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl, price of 250g block butter is up 6% from £1.79 to £1.89.
The rises are down to tight supplies of milk and cream due to adverse weather conditions impacting herds. Cream prices have been rising too - in August these increased by 7% and makers have also faced higher running costs.
Harvir Dhillon, economist at the British Retail Consortium, which represents the supermarkets, said: “Tight supplies of milk and cream, due to adverse weather conditions, have led to wholesale butter prices soaring, currently 60% higher than a year ago. Prices should start to settle in spring when there will be a greater supply of milk.”