Millions of people across Scotland and the UK are becoming increasingly concerned by the rapidly rising cost of living.
As reported by Hull Live, new data have revealed that higher food prices are a major factor contributing to greater household costs.
As a result, many households have been forced to worry about whether they will be able to afford to eat.
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Research has now revealed some supermarket products have been more affected by price rises than others.
The cost of a 500g container of margarine or low-fat spread increased by about 31% in the year to December, rising from an average of £1.35 to £1.77.
Elsewhere, a roasting joint of beef cost around £11.33 per kg in the same month, up by 29% from £8.81 a year earlier, while the price of dessert apples rose 25% from £1.89 per kg to £2.36.
The figures are collected by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as part of its measure of inflation – the rate of increase in the price of goods and services.
Retail experts have warned that shopping bills are likely to increase even more in 2022 as a result of transport costs, labour shortages and increased global food prices.
This will further add to the financial strain millions of households across the UK are already under amid rising energy bills, taxes and more in the coming months.
Other foods on the ONS list that are likely to dent people’s budgets include an oven-ready chicken, which cost £2.78 per kg in December, up 10% from £2.52 a year earlier.
Fresh tomatoes cost an average of £2.41 per kg — a rise of 8% — whilst the price of a pint of milk rose 7% from 43p to 46p.
In contrast, some everyday essentials got cheaper over the year, according to the data.
The cost of a dozen medium eggs fell by 7% from £1.92 to £1.78, while a 500g block of cheddar cheese would cost someone £3.11 rather than £3.33 — a decrease of 7%.
Avocados also fell in price, costing 87p by the end of the year — down from 95p.
However, out of 45 food items for which comparable figures were available, 37 got more expensive.
Non-food products on the list included a pint of draft lager, which rose £3.79 to £3.96, as well as a 20-pack of king-size cigarettes — up by 51p to £11.96 on average.
On the other hand, a 175ml glass of wine fell slightly from £4.09 to £4.02 over the period.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “The trajectory for consumer prices is very clear: they will continue to rise, and at a faster rate.
“Retailers can no longer absorb all the cost pressures arising from more expensive transportation, labour shortages, and rising commodity and global food prices.
“Consumers will already be harder pressed this year, with rising energy bills, the looming hike in national insurance, and more expensive mortgages.
“Government should relieve some of these costs by looking for long-term solutions for resolvable issues such as labour shortages.”
A spokesman from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that consumer food prices depended on a range of factors including import prices, domestic agricultural prices, domestic labour and manufacturing costs, and exchange rates.
He added that it was not for the UK Government to set retail food prices, nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions by the companies.
