Christmas dinner set to be more expensive as gravy and stuffing prices soar

YOUR Christmas dinner could be set to get more expensive this year, as the cost of trimmings has jumped by up to 30 per cent since last year.

Supermarkets have put the prices of stuffing mixes and instant gravy across 30 different branded and own name products.

Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose have all hiked prices, according to research carried out by

For instance, the average supermarket price of Knorr chicken and beef gravy pots have gone up by 11p since last year.

But the largest price increase has been on Bisto gravy granules.

This time last year, you could buy a 550g pack for just £2.50 at Tesco, but this year the cheapest offer in all the supermarkets is for £3.25 - a 30 per cent increase.

The Grocer research found that six more Bisto instant gravy options have got more expensive in Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Waitrose.

These include 170g tubs of Bisto For Turkey (up an average of 17p), Bisto For Chicken (up 15p) and Bisto For Vegetables (up 13p).

Stuffing has also got more expensive.

Since last December, Sainsbury’s has raised the price of its own-label Lemon, Parsley & Thyme stuffing mixes to 70p - an increase of 8 per cent.

Its Apple & Herb stuffing now costs 75p, a rise of 15 per cent.

The biggest stuffing price hike the Grocer found was at Waitrose, where a 225g pack of Sage & Onion stuffing rose to £2.15 - an increase of 20 per cent.

Even though prices have gone up, the price of wheat - a key ingredient in both stuffing mix and gravy granules - is 24 per cent lower than it was twelve months ago.

A spokesperson for Unilever, who makes Knorr, told the Grocer: "This is down to a reduction in price promotions across the year in some of our customers.

"Pricing is always at the discretion of the retailer."

A spokesperson for Sainsbury's added: "The cost of individual products is determined by a number of factors, and prices can fluctuate, both up and down, as a consequence.”

And Tesco said: “We want to provide our customers with great value... We regularly review our prices.”

Aldi named cheapest supermarket for Christmas dinner - with your festive feast setting you back just £3.10 a head.

Cheapest Christmas turkeys 2019 – Aldi crowned winner with £9 bird.

Take the financial stress out of Christmas with our tips on food and presents.