{"id":565363,"date":"2026-05-04T09:22:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T09:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/565363\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T09:22:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T09:22:27","slug":"shoppers-facing-meat-chicken-and-pepper-shortages-and-price-hikes-until-2027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/565363\/","title":{"rendered":"Shoppers facing meat, chicken and pepper shortages and price hikes until 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"

Food price rises and gaps on supermarket shelves could last well into 2027 even if the US-Iran war ends soon<\/a>, shoppers have been warned.<\/p>\n

UK fruit and veg growers have warned that soaring energy costs mean higher prices and shortages of of goods such as tomatoes and peppers could start hitting home this spring.<\/p>\n

Milk and potatoes prices are expected to increases sharply later this year, say supply chain experts, while meat, chicken, fizzy drink and beer prices could also soar.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShorts \u2013 Quick stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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ROYAL FAMILY<\/p>\n

Princess Eugenie pregnant with third child<\/p>\n

\"FilePrincess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have moved into Frogmore Cottage, the Grade II listed home of Meghan and Harry. It is understood the Sussexes will retain the residence near Windsor Castle but Eugenie and Mr Brooksbank, who married in 2018, will share the property. (Photo: David Mirzoeff\/PA Wire) <\/p>\n

Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank are \u201cvery pleased\u201d to be expecting their third child to be born this summer, Buckingham Palace said.<\/p>\n

The King is \u201cdelighted\u201d with the news, while the couple\u2019s sons August, five, and Ernest, two, are \u201cvery excited\u201d to welcome a younger sister or brother to the family.<\/p>\n

What you need to know<\/p>\n

In a photograph shared by Eugenie, 36, Ernest and August can be seen holding a picture of a baby scan. In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: \u201cHer Royal Highness Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their third child together, due this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Analysis<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

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OPINION<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

Could the new baby be king or queen?<\/p>\n

\"Sarah,Caption: Sarah, Duchess of York with her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie during a visit to the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at University College Hospital, London. Picture date: Wednesday April 23, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Sarah. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown\/PA Wire
Photographer: Aaron Chown
Provider: Aaron Chown\/PA Wire
Source: PA
Copyright: PA<\/p>\n

The baby, who will not be an HRH, will be born 15th in line to the throne, with the Duke of Edinburgh moving down to 16th place.<\/p>\n

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NEWS<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

Fifth grandchild for Andrew<\/p>\n

The new arrival will be the fifth grandchild of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, following the birth of Princess Beatrice\u2019s daughter Athena Mapelli Mozzi in January last year.<\/p>\n

\"(L-R)Caption: (L-R) Britain\u2019s Princess Eugenie of York, Britain\u2019s Princess Beatrice of York and Britain\u2019s Prince Andrew, Duke of York leave Buckingham Palace to meet guests at the Patron\u2019s Lunch, a special street party outside Buckingham Palace in London on June 12, 2016, as part of the three day celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s official 90th birthday. Up to 10,000 people are expected to attend the Patron\u2019s Lunch along with the monarch, her husband Prince Philip, Prince William and Prince Harry. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS \/ AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS\/AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: JUSTIN TALLIS
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP<\/p>\n

\"FILEAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been mostly laying low since his move to Marsh Farm (Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth\/AP)<\/p>\n

UK POLITICS<\/p>\n

What to expect from the imminent local elections<\/p>\n

\"CARDIFF,Caption: CARDIFF, WALES \u2013 MAY 06: A box of ballot papers at the election count at the House of Sport on May 6, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales. Every council seat in Scotland, Wales and London is being contested in the local elections and there are polls across much of the rest of England to fill around 6,900 council seats. 91 seats or around 1% of the seats are uncontested due to only one candidate being put forward. Labour is expected to strengthen its hold in Wales. (Photo by Matthew Horwood\/Getty Images)
Photographer: Matthew Horwood
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe<\/p>\n

Your guide to the local elections on Thursday, which are set to reshape the political landscape of the UK and potentially threaten Sir Keir Starmer\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n

What you need to know<\/p>\n

Elections are being held across Scotland, Wales and England on 7 May.<\/p>\n

In Wales, voters will choose members of the Senedd (Welsh parliament).<\/p>\n

Voters in Scotland will elect MSPs to the 129-seat parliament at Holyrood.<\/p>\n

In England, 136\u00a0local\u00a0authorities will hold\u00a0elections.<\/p>\n

There are also a handful of local mayoral elections in London.<\/p>\n

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Big Read<\/p>\n

6 min read<\/p>\n

How will the results unfold?<\/p>\n

Polling stations open at 7am on Thursday 7 May. Voters in England will need to show photo ID to be able to cast a vote.<\/p>\n

Millions of people will take to the polls before they close at 10pm.<\/p>\n

In England, 46 of the\u00a0local\u00a0authorities will count and declare overnight, with results expected between in the early hours of the morning on 8 May.<\/p>\n

The results in Scotland and Wales are expected to trickle in from Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n

The remaining English authorities begin counting ballots on Friday morning, with results announced throughout the day.<\/p>\n

\nStatus quo upended\n<\/p>\n

\"LONDON,Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND \u2013 APRIL 30: Prime Minister Keir Starmer gives a media statement on the government\u2019s response to a stabbing in which two Jewish men were wounded at 10 Downing Street on April 30, 2026 in London, England. On Wednesday, two Jewish men aged 76 and 34 were stabbed in the Golders Green area of north London. The suspect, aged 45, was tasered and arrested. Police have declared the attack a terrorist incident. The two victims were taken to hospital and are said to be in stable condition. (Photo by Jack Taylor \u2013 WPA Pool\/Getty Images)
Photographer: WPA Pool
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe<\/p>\n

A poll for\u00a0The i Paper\u00a0by BMG Research predicted Labour and the Conservatives will see heavy losses with the two insurgent populist parties making major gains.<\/p>\n

Reform is on 28 per cent, nine points ahead of\u00a0Labour on 19 per\u00a0cent.<\/p>\n

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Exclusive<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

\"AnCaption: An archive image of the cruise ship Hondius, in Vlissingen, Netherlands May 17, 2025. IMAGE OBTAINED BY REUTERS\/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES VERIFICATION: \u2013 Reuters confirmed the location from the shipyard, signage and fuel depot which matched file and satellite images. \u2013 Coordinates of the shipyard: 51.461283930722175, 3.6998162498897433. \u2013 The date when the pictures were taken was verified by original file metadata.
Photographer: IMAGE OBTAINED BY REUTERS
Provider: via REUTERS
Source: Handout<\/p>\n

health<\/p>\n

What caused the fatal cruise ship outbreak?<\/p>\n

A rare outbreak of hantavirus, transmitted by rodents, has killed three on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, leaving one Briton in intensive care.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the situation?<\/p>\n

A suspected hantavirus outbreak has left three people dead and one in intensive care.<\/p>\n

It occurred on the MV Hondius cruise liner, which was travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde.<\/p>\n

The ship is now grounded in South Africa, and five more suspected cases are under investigation.<\/p>\n

One British national is reportedly in intensive care and tested positive for the virus.<\/p>\n

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NEWS<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

\nWhat is hantavirus?\n<\/p>\n

Hantavirus cases are usually linked to environmental exposure, such as contact with waste from infected rodents.<\/p>\n

In rare cases they can spread between people, resulting in severe respiratory illness.<\/p>\n

It can cause two diseases, one that \u200cprimarily affects the lungs and the other that attacks the kidneys.<\/p>\n

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, \u200cthe respiratory illness, is most commonly found in the Americas.<\/p>\n

\nWhat are the symptoms?\n<\/p>\n

\"SickPhotographer: ljubaphoto
Provider: Getty Images<\/p>\n

So it begins<\/p>\n

At the outset, it has\u00a0flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and fever, one to eight weeks after exposure.<\/p>\n

Respiratory effects<\/p>\n

Four to ten days later, coughing, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs appear.<\/p>\n

\"AdultCaption: Adult man wearing a yellow hoodie in a living room, coughing or sneezing into elbow.
Photographer: ti-ja
Provider: Getty Images
Source: E+<\/p>\n

\"YoungYoung women patient\u2019s hand receiving IV drip medicine after surgery \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

No known treatment<\/p>\n

There is no specific therapy, so treatment includes \u2060rest and fluids. Some may be put on a ventilator.<\/p>\n

One-minute jab on
the NHS could treat
tens of thousands of patients<\/p>\n

The immunotherapy injection works by telling the body\u2019s immune system to recognise
and kill\u00a0cancer\u00a0cells.<\/p>\n

\"EMBARGOEDCaption: EMBARGOED TO 0001 MONDAY MAY 4<\/p>\n

Screen grab taken from PA Video dated 27\/04\/26 of a nurse preparing a new one-minute injection for more than a dozen cancers, at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Hertfordshire. The immunotherapy injection, being rolled out on the NHS, works by telling the body\u2019s immune system to recognise and kill cancer cells and is powerful against several types of the disease, including lung, breast, head and neck, and cervical cancer. Issue date: Monday May 4, 2026. PA Photo. Until now, patients have had to spend long periods on a drip to get the drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) into their system. Photo credit should read: Shivansh Gupta\/PA Wire <\/p>\n

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Shivansh Gupta
Provider: Shivansh Gupta\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

How it works<\/p>\n

The new pembrolizumab injection is effective against multiple cancers, including lung, breast and cervical. It is given every three weeks as a one-minute injection or every six weeks as a two-minute injection.<\/p>\n

The immunotherapy jab works by helping the body recognise cancer cells and destroy them.<\/p>\n

\"ScreenCaption: Screen grab taken from PA Video dated 27\/04\/26 of Stephen Friend, 67, who received a new one-minute injection for melanoma at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Hertfordshire. The immunotherapy injection, being rolled out on the NHS for more than a dozen cancers, works by telling the body\u2019s immune system to recognise and kill cancer cells and is powerful against several types of the disease, including lung, breast, head and neck, and cervical cancer. Issue date: Monday May 4, 2026. PA Photo. Until now, patients have had to spend long periods on a drip to get the drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) into their system. Photo credit should read: Shivansh Gupta\/PA Wire <\/p>\n

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Shivansh Gupta
Provider: Shivansh Gupta\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

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Analysis<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

\nWho will benefit?\n<\/p>\n

Previously, patients had to spend up to 45 minutes on a drip to be administered the cancer drug.<\/p>\n

The new injectable form means treatment time can be slashed by up to 90 per cent.<\/p>\n

Roughly 14,000 patients start pembrolizumab therapy each year in England. Most will now switch to the\u00a0jabs.<\/p>\n

NHS national clinical director for cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, said: \u201cIt will help free up vital appointments for NHS teams.\u201d<\/p>\n

Analysis suggests the injection cuts the amount of time staff spend on preparing treatment by 44 per cent.<\/p>\n

Just in time for spring<\/p>\n

I feel appreciative, really. I mean, we don\u2019t have to pay for it. It\u2019s been wonderful. Now I can spend more time on gardening, especially now spring is here.<\/p>\n

Shirley Xerxes, 89, first Nhs patient to receive the new injection<\/p>\n

\"ScreenCaption: Screen grab taken from PA Video dated 27\/04\/26 of Shirley Xerxes, 89, who was one of the first patients to receive a new one-minute injection for bowl cancer at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Hertfordshire. The immunotherapy injection, being rolled out on the NHS for more than a dozen cancers, works by telling the body\u2019s immune system to recognise and kill cancer cells and is powerful against several types of the disease, including lung, breast, head and neck, and cervical cancer. Issue date: Monday May 4, 2026. PA Photo. Until now, patients have had to spend long periods on a drip to get the drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) into their system. Photo credit should read: Shivansh Gupta\/PA Wire <\/p>\n

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Photographer: Shivansh Gupta
Provider: Shivansh Gupta\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

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Experts also warned of smaller portions \u2013 so-called \u201cshrinkflation\u201d \u2013 when it comes to treats like chocolate, biscuits and fish and chips, as producers look to cut rising costs.<\/p>\n

Darren Jones, No 10\u2019s chief secretary, warned last week that \u201clong tail\u201d impact of the Iran conflict could last up to eight months after any deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But food producers and experts told The i Paper that the negative effects may last even longer \u2013 predicting that higher prices and possible shortages could run deep into 2027.<\/p>\n

Why some price hikes are still months away<\/p>\n

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has warned of 9 per cent UK food inflation by the end of 2026. It would add \u00a3470 to average annual shopping bills, according to recent analysis<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Britain\u2019s fruit and veg growers reliant on glasshouses have been hit by both higher fertiliser prices and soaring energy prices.<\/p>\n

Some may have to decide to cut short their season soon to minimise losses \u2013 sparking warnings of price rises and possible gaps on the shelves for tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers from May.<\/p>\n

\"AGaps may soon start appearing on fruit and veg shelves, growers have warned (Richard Baker\/Getty)<\/p>\n

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has warned the price of milk and products from arable crops \u2013 like bread, potatoes and cereals \u2013 could start increasing in the next three to six months because of higher fertiliser and red diesel prices.<\/p>\n

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said farmers were \u201cunderstandably worried\u201d about getting enough red diesel and fertiliser for their combine harvesters and to boost crop growth over the summer. <\/p>\n

Red diesel, a cheaper fuel for farmers to use in agricultural vehicles was 76p per litre last year, latest figures put it at 104p. <\/p>\n

Shipments of fertilisers have largely stopped since the war with costs across the board up on pre-war prices. Yara International, one of the world\u2019s biggest fertiliser producers, has warned a lack of fertiliser could drop yields by up to 50 per cent. <\/p>\n

\u201cFocus is also rapidly turning to longer-term impacts from the autumn onwards,\u201d Bradshaw told The i Paper. He said farmers would have to make \u201ccritical decisions\u201d are made about how much to plant for next year.<\/p>\n

Soaring shopping bill set to continue in 2027<\/p>\n

Scott Walker, chief executive GB Potatoes, warned this week that the \u201cinevitable\u201d price rises for his own industry may not happen until next year. He told Sky News that farmers\u2019 2027 contracts with supermarkets would have to reflect a doubling of red diesel and some fertiliser prices.<\/p>\n

Professor Aled Jones, director of the Global Sustainability Institute at Anglia Ruskin University, said the problems facing farmers meant the price hikes would continue in 2027.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor farmers, some of the impacts from red diesel and fertiliser costs will have a longer tail, so the impact on prices on the things like bread, cereals, potatoes may not come until autumn, [and continue] into next year,\u201d he told The i Paper.<\/p>\n

\"PortraitFarmers may not see problems hit home until later in the year \u2013 pushing up prices in 2027 (Photo: Monty Rakusen\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Dr Derek Watson, an associate professor in cultural management at the University of Sunderland, said the difficulties faced by farmers meant \u201cwe will see reduced yields this year \u2013 but next year it could be worse\u201d.<\/p>\n

He told The i Paper: \u201cWhat\u2019s happened already [with the Iran crisis] is going to have reverberations in the medium to long term. Mostly definitely food price increase will continue well into 2027.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why CO2 shortages would make things even worse<\/p>\n

Supply of carbon dioxide (CO2) could be disrupted should the Iran conflict last into the summer, under the Government\u2019s \u201creasonable worst-case scenario\u201d leaked last month.<\/p>\n

CO2 is required for the slaughtering of pigs and chickens, and in the production of beer and fizzy drinks. It is also needed for the plastic packaging needed to prolong the shelf life of baked goods and salads.<\/p>\n

Jones said extra cost of getting CO2 \u201ccould feed into meats, chicken, beer and fizzy drinks getting more expensive\u201d.<\/p>\n

There could even be shortages of some red meat and chicken products. Dr Watson said major CO2 disruption \u201ccould mean less meat and poultry products in the worst-case scenario\u201d. <\/p>\n

Why fish portions are suffering from \u2018shrinkflation\u2019<\/p>\n

Dr Watson warned that that some manufacturers and outlets could turn to \u201cshrinkflation\u201d \u2013 smaller portions or cheaper ingredients \u2013 to deal with rising cost pressures.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith chocolate bars and biscuits, you could see further shrinkflation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Some chocolate manufacturers have previously cut the amount of cocoa content and added cheaper ingredients such as fruit and fillings when their own costs have increased.<\/p>\n

\"TraditionalPortion sizes could be cut at fish and chip shops (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Andrew Crook, president of National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), told The i Paper that some fish and chip shops that used to sell large portions of fish \u201cwill have had to cut down\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said fish and chip prices would rise this year because of multiple cost pressures: energy bills, delivery, packaging and \u201ccod prices being at an all-time high\u201d.<\/p>\n

There was the risk of further closures in the sector, Crook warned \u2013 though he said fish and chip shops appreciate that \u201cwe are still being supported by our customers\u201d since the Iran war began.<\/p>\n

Yara International warned last week that the Iran war could lead to the \u201cdramatic consequence\u201d of food shortages in some of Africa\u2019s poorest communities.<\/p>\n

The FDF has said British shoppers should not be concerned about shortages at the moment since manufacturers remained \u201cagile\u201d. But the body has warned that Iran-related disruption will push up prices.<\/p>\n

Ministers have said CO2 supplies are not currently a concern. The Government has helped restart a bioethanol plant in Teesside so Britain produce more CO2 of its own. <\/p>\n

While the Government has attempted to calm fears, Sir Keir Starmer has warned that even when the Strait of Hormuz<\/a> reopens, it will not be a return to normal.<\/p>\n

A Government spokesperson said it was taking the effects of the Iran war \u201cvery seriously\u201d and is \u201cactively monitoring the potential impact of the conflict on the food and farming sector\u201d.<\/p>\n

They added: \u201cThe UK has a resilient food system and we do not expect any change to food availability. We are continuing to meet with stakeholders including farmer\u2019s unions to share information on rising fuel and oil prices.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Food price rises and gaps on supermarket shelves could last well into 2027 even if the US-Iran war…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":565364,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[84,1319,3363,1294,2692,1137,1431,126979,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-565363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-economy","tag-business","tag-consumer","tag-cost-of-living","tag-economy","tag-farmers","tag-food-prices","tag-inflation","tag-iran-crisis","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/565363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=565363"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/565363\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/565364"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=565363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=565363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=565363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}