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Aldi, Lidl and Sainsbury’s have launched their annual price fight on Christmas vegetables, offering bags of sprouts, carrots, parsnips and potatoes for just 19p.
The price deals, which include swedes and cabbages at 19p each, come despite concerns about rising costs for farmers in the UK amid inflation on labour, fertilizer and fuel for tractors and other vehicles.
In past years, all the major supermarkets have offered discounts on festive veg, with prices as low as 15p a bag, to try to attract shoppers.
However, the battle is likely to be harder fought this year as rising cost of living pressures have forced cash-strapped households to be more careful about how and where they shop.
Like-for-like prices on Christmas dinner items rose 10%, according to the latest industry data, but shoppers are able to keep a lid on costs by switching to supermarket own-label brands, local markets or cut-price chains.
Sales at Aldi and Lidl are growing by more than 20% while at Morrisons, Waitrose and Ocado are down, partly because they are seen as less competitive on price than their bigger rivals.
Sainsbury’s and Tesco have maintained growth partly by matching Aldi prices on a selection of staples, while Asda has had success with its new cut-price own label range.
Sainsbury’s was the first of the major supermarkets to respond to Aldi and Lidl’s announcement of vegetable deals on Wednesday, with rivals expected to follow later this week. Its offer, which includes 2.5kg bags of potatoes compared to Aldi’s 2kg and Lidl’s 1.5kg bags, will be in stores on the same day as Aldi’s from December 18, while Lidl is moving three days earlier.
Aldi said its 19p offers would save shoppers up to 80% on six key Christmas vegetables.
The deals are likely to raise concerns about payments to producers, after the National Farmers’ Union warned this week that the UK was “sleepwalking into a further food supply crisis” after rising energy costs, bird flu and workforce problems for eggs and turkeys. . shortage
Meanwhile, some vegetables, such as cauliflower and potatoes, are in plentiful supply, as warm fall brings forth crops and traditionally reduced demand for winter foods.
Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, said: “Christmas is an expensive time for many families up and down the UK but customers can be sure that Aldi will always offer the best value groceries.”
She added: “Shoppers can rest assured that Aldi’s fantastic vegetable deals don’t come at a cost to its suppliers. Supermarkets carefully plan any promotions and work with British producers on a seasonal or annual fixed price. That means, regardless of in-store promotional activity, manufacturers get the same fair price as always.
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