Seven years ago, I shared a weekly food shopping list designed to feed a family of four for £20 — covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. To my surprise, that story resonated with many people struggling to make the most of their weekly shop. I received dozens of messages thanking me, though some critics pointed out a lack of vegetables and pulses, which I agree are important. Even now, crafting a perfectly balanced and budget-friendly shopping list remains a challenge.
Curious about how prices had changed, I revisited the same shopping list at Asda in 2026 to compare costs. Unsurprisingly, 19 out of 20 items increased in price. Overall, my original shop cost £20.72 in 2019, while the same list now comes to £31.82 — a 54% rise, reflecting the well-known surge in the cost of living.
One item stood out as a surprise: flour. While most prices climbed, flour actually became cheaper when measured by weight. A 500g bag of plain flour cost £0.40 in 2019, but in 2026, a 1.5kg bag is just £0.70 — meaning the price per unit has dropped significantly.
On the other hand, Flora spread has soared in price—from £1.00 for 500g to nearly £3.00 per equivalent weight—reminding us that some staples are becoming luxuries.
Here’s a brief price comparison highlighting the changes:
2019 Prices:
- Whole Chicken (1.6kg): £3.20
- Beef Mince (750g): £3.10
- Pasta (500g): £0.32
- Plain Flour (500g): £0.40
- Flora Original Spread (500g): £1.00
- Semi Skimmed Milk (4pt): £1.09
2026 Prices:
- Whole Chicken (1.7kg, on offer): £4.60
- Beef Mince (500g, smaller pack): £3.25
- Pasta (500g): £0.41
- Plain Flour (1.5kg): £0.70
- Flora Original Spread (450g): £1.95
- Semi Skimmed Milk (4pt): £1.65
Despite the rising prices in nearly every category, it’s encouraging to see essential items like flour becoming more affordable, helping families stretch their budgets a little further. However, the increased costs on items like butter-based spreads highlight ongoing challenges for shoppers.