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<p>The UK food sector has adapted quickly to unprecedented challenges during the Covid-19
outbreak to ensure people have the food and products they need. Defra has been engaged
in constant dialogue with food retailers during this time, who are providing regular
information on the availability of food in stores. Retailers are working hard to mitigate
any disruption to their supply chain that could impact on their costs, to keep customer
prices down as far as possible. We are confident about the resilience of the UK food
supply chain.</p><p> </p><p>Defra continues to monitor food prices through regular
ONS reporting. According to the Consumer Price Index including housing costs (CPIH),
between March and April, food products that have seen the largest price increase are
oils and fats by 4.5%, fish by 2.6% and vegetables by 1.6%. We are also monitoring
ONS online prices experimental data which reported that the prices of a set of high-demand
food products increased by 1.1% between March and May. This data represents experimental
statistics that provide an early indication of prices of a limited set of products,
and cannot be directly compared to official national statistics.</p><p> </p><p>It
is not for the UK Government to set retail food prices or to comment on day-to-day
commercial decisions by retailers. However, we continue to monitor prices closely
and to work with industry to promote transparency for consumers.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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