UK Food Prices Will Go Up More in 2026 (CEFR Compare)

Apr 24, 2026, 14:38

UK Food Prices Will Go Up More in 2026

Introduction

The Bank of England asked many UK businesses about food prices. The businesses said food prices will go up by 6 to 7 percent in 2026. This is more than before.

Main Body

The Bank of England's report came out on 24 April. It used information from businesses. Food prices went up 3 to 4 percent last year. Businesses think food prices will go up more in 2026. They said it could be 6 to 7 percent. Another group, the Food & Drink Federation, thinks prices will go up even more. They said the war in the Middle East makes costs higher. Factories cannot pay all these costs. They think food prices will go up 9 to 10 percent by the end of 2026. The Bank of England also asked company leaders. They said they will raise their prices by 3.8 percent in the next year. Many of them said they will raise prices because of higher energy costs. But only a few companies had big problems from the war in the Middle East. Other businesses also worry about higher transport and energy costs. The Bank of England said the war made people less sure that the economy will get better. But for most companies, the problems are still small.

Conclusion

In short, UK businesses think food prices will go up a lot in 2026. The Bank of England says 6 to 7 percent. The Food & Drink Federation says 9 to 10 percent. The future is not clear. It depends on energy prices, how goods move to shops, and the war in the Middle East.

Vocabulary Learning

businesses (n.)

companies / organizations that sell goods or services企業

Example:Many businesses think prices will go up.

costs (n.)

expenses / the amount of money needed to do or make something成本

Example:Transport costs are increasing.

higher (adj.)

greater / more than usual in amount or level更高的

Example:Higher energy costs make food more expensive.

prices (n.)

costs / the amount of money you pay for something價格

Example:Food prices are going up in 2026.

raise (v.)

increase / to make something higher or more提高

Example:Companies raise prices when costs go up.

Sentence Learning

Food prices went up 3 to 4 percent last year.

Time Marker: The phrase 'last year' tells us when the action happened. It shows the time.時間標記：「去年」這個詞告訴我們動作發生的時間。它表示時間。

They said they will raise their prices by 3.8 percent in the next year.

Time Marker: The phrase 'in the next year' tells us when the action will happen. It shows future time.時間標記：「在明年」這個詞告訴我們動作將發生的時間。它表示未來時間。

Many of them said they will raise prices because of higher energy costs.

Reason: The phrase 'because of' gives the reason for raising prices. It shows cause.原因：「因為」這個短語說明了漲價的原因。它表示因果關係。

But only a few companies had big problems from the war in the Middle East.

Contrast: The word 'But' shows a contrast between the previous idea and this one. It introduces a different point.對比：「但是」這個詞顯示了前一個想法和這個想法之間的對比。它引出一個不同的觀點。

The Bank of England's report came out on 24 April.

Time Marker: The phrase 'on 24 April' tells us the exact date when the report came out. It shows a specific time.時間標記：「在4月24日」這個詞告訴我們報告發布的具體日期。它表示一個特定的時間。

UK Businesses Expect Food Inflation to Reach 7% in 2026, Bank of England Survey Shows

Introduction

A survey by the Bank of England has revealed that UK businesses now expect food inflation to reach 6–7% during 2026, a higher estimate than earlier predictions. This assessment is based on company feedback about rising energy, transport, and agricultural costs, made worse by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Main Body

The Bank of England’s latest report on business conditions, published on 24 April, gathered opinions from company contacts. Respondents stated that consumer goods inflation is still concentrated in food prices, which had risen 3–4% year-on-year. Although uncertainty is high, concerns about food inflation are stronger than for other goods due to higher input costs. Contacts expressed concern that food inflation would increase through 2026, potentially to 6–7%, rather than declining as previously forecast. Official data released on Wednesday showed that food and non-alcoholic drink prices rose 3.7% annually in March, an increase from 3.3% in February. A separate projection from the Food & Drink Federation (FDF), a UK trade association, offered a more pessimistic outlook. FDF chief economist Dr Liliana Danila claimed that the conflict in the Middle East has caused a cost shock too large for manufacturers to fully absorb. She noted that long-term contracts between manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers can delay the passing on of higher costs by up to a year, but prices for less processed goods or shorter supply chains will adjust more quickly. Without government intervention, the FDF expects a gradual but steady increase in food inflation, reaching approximately 9–10% by the end of 2026. Furthermore, the Bank of England’s Decision Maker Panel (DMP) survey, covering the three months to April, found that finance chiefs across UK companies expect to raise their own prices by an average of 3.8% over the next 12 months—0.3 percentage points higher than the prediction for the three months to March. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of respondents indicated they would adjust to the recent energy shock by increasing prices. Separate research by the Bank’s agents across the UK confirmed these concerns, with businesses citing the Middle East conflict’s potential impact on demand, supply chains, and input costs. However, the agents noted that, aside from a small number of firms trading directly with the region, few reported significant effects on output or activity so far. Other sectors have also expressed worries about rising transport and energy costs, suggesting that inflationary pressures are not limited to food. The Bank’s report described the conflict as having reduced confidence that the economy would improve later in the year, though the direct economic disruption remains limited for most firms.

Conclusion

In summary, UK businesses and trade bodies expect a notable increase in food inflation during 2026, due to higher input costs and geopolitical instability. While the Bank of England’s survey points to a rise to 6–7%, the Food & Drink Federation projects an even steeper climb to 9–10%. The difference reflects varying assumptions about the speed and extent of cost pass-through, as well as the potential for government intervention. The outlook remains highly uncertain and depends on the evolution of energy prices, supply chain dynamics, and the Middle East conflict.

Vocabulary Learning

absorb (v.)

withstand / to take in or bear a cost or impact承受

Example:The conflict has caused a cost shock too large for manufacturers to fully absorb.

assessment (n.)

evaluation / a judgment or opinion about something評估

Example:This assessment is based on company feedback about rising costs.

concentrated (adj.)

focused / directed towards a particular area or thing集中

Example:Consumer goods inflation is still concentrated in food prices.

intervention (n.)

involvement / the act of interfering or stepping in to change a situation干預

Example:Without government intervention, the FDF expects a gradual increase in food inflation.

pessimistic (adj.)

gloomy / expecting the worst possible outcome悲觀的

Example:A separate projection offered a more pessimistic outlook for food inflation.

Sentence Learning

Respondents stated that consumer goods inflation is still concentrated in food prices, which had risen 3–4% year-on-year.

Relative clause 'which had risen 3–4% year-on-year' provides additional information about food prices, making the sentence more informative without starting a new sentence.關係從句「which had risen 3–4% year-on-year」補充說明食品價格的資訊，使句子更完整，無需另起一句。

This assessment is based on company feedback about rising energy, transport, and agricultural costs, made worse by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Passive voice 'is based' and 'made worse' shift focus to the assessment and the costs, not the doer, which is common in formal reporting to emphasize the result.被動語態「is based」和「made worse」將重點放在評估和成本上，而非動作執行者，常見於正式報告以強調結果。

Although uncertainty is high, concerns about food inflation are stronger than for other goods due to higher input costs.

Linking word 'Although' introduces a concession, then the main clause states the stronger concern, showing contrast between uncertainty and specific worry.連接詞「Although」引出让步，主句說明更強烈的擔憂，顯示不確定性與具體憂慮之間的對比。

Contacts expressed concern that food inflation would increase through 2026, potentially to 6–7%, rather than declining as previously forecast.

Linking phrase 'rather than' contrasts the expected decline with the actual increase, highlighting a change in prediction.連接短語「rather than」將預期的下降與實際上升作對比，突出預測的變化。

However, the agents noted that, aside from a small number of firms trading directly with the region, few reported significant effects on output or activity so far.

Linking word 'However' signals a shift from previous concerns, and 'aside from' introduces an exception, showing that the impact is limited except for a few firms.連接詞「However」表示與前文擔憂的轉折，「aside from」引出例外情況，顯示除了少數公司外影響有限。

UK Businesses Project Food Inflation to Rise to 7% in 2026, Bank of England Survey Indicates

Introduction

A survey conducted by the Bank of England has revealed that UK businesses anticipate food inflation could reach 6–7% during 2026, a revision upward from earlier expectations. The assessment is based on feedback from firms regarding rising energy, transport, and agricultural costs, compounded by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Main Body

The Bank of England’s latest report on business conditions, published on 24 April, synthesised opinions from company contacts. Respondents indicated that consumer goods inflation remains concentrated in food prices, which had risen 3–4% year-on-year. Although uncertainty is high, concerns over food inflation are more pronounced than for other goods due to elevated input costs. Contacts expressed apprehension that food inflation would increase through 2026, potentially to 6–7%, rather than declining as previously forecast. Official data released on Wednesday showed that food and non-alcoholic drink prices rose 3.7% annually in March, an acceleration from 3.3% in February. A separate projection from the Food & Drink Federation (FDF), a UK trade association, offered a more pessimistic outlook. FDF chief economist Dr Liliana Danila stated that the conflict in the Middle East has introduced a cost shock too large for manufacturers to fully absorb. She noted that long-term contracts between manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers can delay the pass-through of higher costs by up to a year, but prices for less processed goods or shorter supply chains will adjust more rapidly. In the absence of government intervention, the FDF expects a gradual but persistent increase in food inflation, reaching approximately 9–10% by the end of 2026. The Bank of England’s Decision Maker Panel (DMP) survey, covering the three months to April, found that finance chiefs across UK companies expect to raise their own prices by an average of 3.8% over the next 12 months—0.3 percentage points higher than the prediction for the three months to March. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of respondents indicated they would adjust to the recent energy shock by increasing prices. Separate research by the Bank’s agents across the UK corroborated these concerns, with businesses citing the Middle East conflict’s potential impact on demand, supply chains, and input costs. However, the agents noted that, aside from a small number of firms trading directly with the region, few reported significant effects on output or activity thus far. Other sectors have also voiced worries about rising transport and energy costs, suggesting that inflationary pressures are not confined to food. The Bank’s report characterised the conflict as having “eroded” confidence that the economy would improve later in the year, though the direct economic disruption remains limited for most firms.

Conclusion

In summary, UK businesses and trade bodies foresee a notable increase in food inflation during 2026, driven by higher input costs and geopolitical instability. While the Bank of England’s survey points to a rise to 6–7%, the Food & Drink Federation projects an even steeper climb to 9–10%. The divergence reflects differing assumptions about the speed and extent of cost pass-through, as well as the potential for government intervention. The outlook remains subject to considerable uncertainty, contingent on the evolution of energy prices, supply chain dynamics, and the Middle East conflict.

Vocabulary Learning

corroborated (v.)

Substantiated / To confirm or support a statement or theory with evidence.證實

Example:Research by the Bank's agents across the UK corroborated these concerns about the conflict's impact.

eroded (v.)

Undermined / To gradually destroy or weaken something such as confidence or trust.侵蝕

Example:The conflict has eroded confidence that the economy would improve later in the year.

pass-through (n.)

Cost transmission / The extent to which increases in input costs are passed on to consumers via higher prices.成本轉嫁

Example:Long-term contracts can delay the pass-through of higher costs by up to a year.

pronounced (adj.)

Marked / Very noticeable or significant.顯著

Example:Concerns over food inflation are more pronounced than for other goods due to elevated input costs.

synthesised (v.)

Amalgamated / To combine separate elements into a coherent whole.綜合分析

Example:The Bank of England's report synthesised opinions from company contacts to form a comprehensive outlook.

Sentence Learning

A survey conducted by the Bank of England has revealed that UK businesses anticipate food inflation could reach 6–7% during 2026, a revision upward from earlier expectations.

Reduced Relative Clause + Apposition: The past participle phrase 'conducted by the Bank of England' reduces a relative clause ('which was conducted'), compressing information. The noun phrase 'a revision upward from earlier expectations' is an appositive that renames the entire preceding clause, adding evaluative commentary.縮減關係子句 + 同位語：過去分詞短語 'conducted by the Bank of England' 簡化了關係子句（'which was conducted'），壓縮信息。名詞短語 'a revision upward from earlier expectations' 是同位語，對整個前句進行重述並附加評價性說明。

Contacts expressed apprehension that food inflation would increase through 2026, potentially to 6–7%, rather than declining as previously forecast.

Subjunctive Mood + Comparative Ellipsis: The verb 'would increase' in the noun clause after 'apprehension' conveys a hypothetical or expected future, a form of subjunctive. The structure 'rather than declining' uses a gerund to compare two alternatives, and 'as previously forecast' is an elliptical adverbial clause (full form: 'as it was previously forecast'), omitting the subject and auxiliary.虛擬語氣 + 比較省略：名詞子句中 'would increase' 表達假設或預期未來，屬於虛擬語氣形式。'rather than declining' 結構使用動名詞比較兩種選擇，而 'as previously forecast' 是省略狀語從句（完整形式為 'as it was previously forecast'），省略了主語和助動詞。

She noted that long-term contracts between manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers can delay the pass-through of higher costs by up to a year, but prices for less processed goods or shorter supply chains will adjust more rapidly.

Nominalization + Complex Coordination: The noun 'pass-through' nominalizes the verb phrase 'pass through', condensing a process into a single term. The sentence coordinates two independent clauses with 'but', where the second clause contains a comparative adverb 'more rapidly' and a reduced relative clause ('less processed goods' implies 'goods that are less processed').名詞化 + 複雜並列：名詞 'pass-through' 將動詞短語 'pass through' 名詞化，把過程濃縮為一個術語。句子用 'but' 並列兩個獨立子句，第二個子句包含比較副詞 'more rapidly' 及縮減關係子句（'less processed goods' 隱含 'goods that are less processed'）。

Separate research by the Bank’s agents across the UK corroborated these concerns, with businesses citing the Middle East conflict’s potential impact on demand, supply chains, and input costs.

Absolute Construction with Gerund: The phrase 'with businesses citing...' is an absolute construction (a prepositional phrase with a gerund and its object) that adds circumstantial detail without forming a full clause. It functions adverbially, providing accompanying information about the agents' findings.帶動名詞的獨立結構：短語 'with businesses citing...' 是獨立結構（介詞短語加上動名詞及其賓語），在不構成完整子句的情況下添加環境細節。它起副詞作用，提供關於調查結果的伴隨信息。

The Bank’s report characterised the conflict as having “eroded” confidence that the economy would improve later in the year, though the direct economic disruption remains limited for most firms.

Perfect Gerund + Complex Complement: The phrase 'as having eroded' uses a perfect gerund (having + past participle) to indicate an action completed before the time of the main verb. This serves as the object complement of 'characterised'. The noun clause 'that the economy would improve' is a complement of 'confidence', and the concessive clause 'though...' adds a contrastive nuance.完成式動名詞 + 複雜補語：短語 'as having eroded' 使用完成式動名詞（having + 過去分詞）表示在主句動詞時間之前已完成的動作，作為 'characterised' 的賓語補語。名詞子句 'that the economy would improve' 是 'confidence' 的補語，讓步子句 'though...' 增加對比意味。