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<p>Consumer food prices depend on a range of factors including food import prices,
domestic agricultural prices, domestic labour and manufacturing costs, and Sterling
exchange rates, all of which fluctuate over time. Some of these factors are influenced
by our trading arrangements with other countries. Most food sectors businesses
(retail etc) are accustomed to fluctuations in supply chain costs so they do not necessarily
translate into consumer price rises. Food prices are set individually by businesses
and it is not for the UK Government to set retail food prices nor to comment on day-to-day
commercial decisions by companies.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has a highly resilient food
supply chain, as demonstrated throughout the Covid-19 response. It is well equipped
to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption. Our high degree of
food security is built supply from diverse sources; strong domestic production as
well as imports through stable trade routes. UK consumers have access through international
trade to food products that cannot be produced here, or at least not on a year-round
basis. This supplements domestic production, and also ensures that any disruption
from risks such as adverse weather or disease does not affect the UK's overall security
of supply.</p>
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