Food price rises are changing the Great British iftar
As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, Muslims across the UK are planning for a more frugal Ramadan
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As Ramadan approaches, Muslims up and down the UK have been busy preparing for a month of fasting.
Iftar, and in some cases suhoor, is traditionally a lavish affair in many Muslim cultures, each of which have their own favourite dishes. Popular items among South Asians include kisuri, samosas, grilled meats and rice dishes such as biryani. Muslims of Middle Eastern heritage typically enjoy a lentil soup spiced with cumin, cinnamon and turmeric, known as shorbat adas, or harees, a thick stew made from ground wheat mixed with seasoned meat. Meanwhile, many Nigerians open their fasts with moi moi, a pudding made of steamed beans.
As food inflation continues to rise across the UK, this year’s iftar tables may look a little different. According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, prices of food and non-alcoholic drinks increased by 16.8% in the 12 months up to January 2023. The effects of rising costs is particularly acute among the Muslim population, of which 39% live in the poorest parts of England and Wales.
A new study by the London-based marketing firm Nano Interactive, which polled 236 people, found the current economic reality has affected at least one aspect of Ramadan and Eid preparations among 48% of UK Muslims. Around a third of those surveyed said they will spend less money on groceries, while nearly half said they are likely to shop at “budget-friendly” supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl. Additionally, six in 10 people said they will spend much less money on Eid gifts this year.
We compared the current price of various essential ingredients with how much they cost last Ramadan and found that almost every staple has increased. The most significant increases were in the price of flour, rice, milk, pastry and eggs. See the full list below.
Dates
Tahira premium medjool dates – April 2022 £2.50; now £3. Increase: 20%.
Chickpeas
Napolina chickpeas in water – April 2022 86p; now £1.01. Increase: 17%.
Chapatti flour
East End Gold flour 5kg – April 2022 £6; now £7.65. Increase: 28%.
Elephant Atta Gold flour 5kg – April 2022 £4.83; No increase.
Elephant Atta wholemeal 10kg – April 2022 £6.83; now £8.50. Increase: 24%.
Tinned tomatoes
KTC chopped tomatoes – April 2022 44p; now 54p. Increase: 23%.
Coconut milk
KTC coconut milk – April 2022 89p; now 90p. Increase: 1%.
Greek yoghurt
Supermarket own brand greek yoghurt (Tesco) – April 2022 85p; now £1.05. Increase: 24%.
Rooh afza
Hamdard rooh afza – April 2022 £3.10; now £3.20. Increase: 3%.
Paratha
Shana paratha – April 2022 £1.30; now £1.87. Increase: 44%.
Rice
Laila basmati rice 10kg – April 2022 £12.13; now £16.87. Increase: 39%.
Tilda basmati rice 5kg – April 2022 £12.63; now £14.83. Increase: 17%.
Tilda basmati rice 10kg April 2022 £23.42; now £25.33. Increase: 8%.
Filo pastry
Jus Rol filo pastry – April 2022 £1.77; now £1.87. Increase: 6%.
Oz filo pastry – April 2022 £1.50; now £2.30. Increase: 53%.
Vermicelli
KTC vermicelli – April 2022 60p; now 70p. Increase: 17%.
Tahini
Bodrum tahini – April 2022 £2.50; now £2.65. Increase: 6%.
Ayran
Mis Ayran – April 2022 39p; now 50p. Increase: 28%.
Ghee
KTC ghee – April 2022 £4.67; now £4.83. Increase: 3%.
Couscous
500g De Cecco cous cous – April 2022 £2.25; now £2.50. Increase: 11%.
Ready meals
Humza chicken charcoal kebabs – April 2022 £2.75; now £3.25. Increase: 18%.
We also compared the price of two suhoor meals.
Two pieces of toast with two fried eggs would have cost 78p. This year it costs 92p. Increase: 18%.
A bowl of porridge with skimmed milk would have cost 41p; now it costs 62p. Increase: 51%.
This is based on:
Hovis wholemeal bread 400g was 94p; now £1.17
10 large free-range eggs were £2.95; now £3.47
Porridge oats were £2.11; now £2.88
Semi-skimmed milk 568ml was 60p; now 95p
50g of porridge was 10.5p; now 14.4p
Half a pint of milk was 30p; now 48p
Two slices of toast were 19p; now 23p
2 eggs were 59p; now 69p
All figures were compiled using data from www.trolley.co.uk
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