Broccoli and tomatoes are among everyday products that could see prices jump if the UK leaves the EU without a tariff-free trade deal, new research has found.
Analysis by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) found that the average cost of food imported from the EU would increase by 22 per cent, if Britain fails to secure an agreement on trade.
British consumers could face higher prices if imports from the EU face WTO tariffs, with the impact described as “considerable” if UK producers match higher imports, the BRC said.
According to data from BRC members and international trade data, broccoli prices could rise by 10 per cent, while tomatoes prices could jump by almost 20 per cent.
“Even at the lower end of the risk, price rises of five to nine per cent dwarf the increase from inflation that shoppers are currently paying on food goods,” said BRC director of food policy, Andrew Opie.
“Price increases of this scale to everyday food items will add a huge burden to hard pressed consumers whose finances are already under increasing strain from inflationary pressures.”
Opie said there will be opportunities for new trade deals in the medium to long term, but warned of the need to avoid a “cliff-edge” situation on Brexit day.
“This is why the priority for the UK Government has to be securing the continuity of free trade with Europe from March 2019 and thereby delivering a fair Brexit for consumers,” he said.
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