Lidl has been crowned the cheapest supermarket in the UK for March, making it the third consecutive month that the retailer has retained top ranking.
The Which? price comparison analysed the prices of 21 items at the big four grocers, Aldi, Lidl, Ocado and Marks & Spencer food.
It found a basket of goods at the German discounter would set you back £26.83 compared to £36.04 at the priciest supermarket.
Aldi took second place with a basket costing 31p more.
The comparison included both own-brand and branded goods across eight stores.
Products analysed included fresh produce such as apples and eggs, and household names such as Hovis wholemeal bread, to give a comprehensive review of where consumers would get best value for money.
Ryan McDonnell, Lidl chief executive, said: “This is the third month running that Which? has named Lidl as the cheapest supermarket. As inflation continues to rise I want to reassure each and every one of our customers that we remain resolute in our promise of being the destination for the highest quality groceries at the lowest prices in the market.
“In addition, this week our efforts towards a more sustainable future have been recognised by Oxfam as part of its annual supermarket human rights ‘behind the barcodes’ scorecard. We have set clear and measurable targets to make good food accessible to everyone, through measures that benefit our customers, our producers and the planet.”
Breakdown of prices by supermarket
- Lidl - £26.83
- Aldi - £27.14
- Asda - £28.63
- Sainsbury‘s - £29.39
- Tesco - £30.30
- Ocado - £31.24
- Morrisons - £31.53
- Waitrose - £36.04
Food prices are rising at near-record levels as the cost of living crisis bites, according to recent data.
Kantar, which records prices, said inflation in February was 4.3%, with prices rising fastest for savoury snacks, fresh beef, and cat food, while the cost of bacon, beer, lager, and spirits fell. Inflation across the board is at 6.2%.
Meanwhile, chronic labour shortages in the food and farming sector could see food prices continue to rise, according to MPs.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee report - devised by six Tory and four Labour MPs along with one SNP colleague - said that as of August last year the sector had "potentially in excess of 500,000 job vacancies".
It found evidence of pressure and shortages before the outbreak of war in Ukraine had caused the sector to experience "even greater pressure".
"The evidence we have taken leaves us in no doubt about the seriousness of the issues facing the food and farming sector caused by labour shortages," wrote the study's authors.
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"These include food security, animal welfare and the mental health of those working in the sector.
"In contrast, the Government has not demonstrated a strong understanding of these issues, and even on occasion sought to pass the blame onto the sector on the basis of incorrect information about its own immigration system.
"The Government must radically shift its attitude and work together with the sector to devise solutions that speedily help address the problems it faces, in the short, medium and long-term to help the UK's food industry and enable it to thrive.
"Failure to do so risks shrinking the sector and leading to higher food inflation at the price of the UK's competitiveness, thereby making the country more reliant on food imports as we export our food production capacity - as well as the jobs it supports - abroad."
