Overview
- An analysis for the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds extreme weather pushed lamb prices up 7–21% since 2022, adding about £168 over three years for households that buy lamb often.
- Drought, heat and record rain weakened grass growth and depleted hay stores, which left lambs lighter and raised farmers’ costs.
- Using Met Office records and AHDB market data, the study estimates the 2022 drought lifted prices 11%, the 2023/24 wet winter 25%, and a recent drought 13%.
- Assuming farmgate rises pass through to shoppers, a typical 2kg lamb roast cost about £5 more at Easter 2024 and about £7 more a year later.
- The report also notes cocoa supply shocks in West Africa that have driven steep Easter‑egg price increases, reflected in Worldpanel by Numerator grocery data.