High food prices, caused mainly by poor harvests and rising fuel costs, will continue to rise in the long term, the Daily Mail has reported.

According to the paper, a recent rise in prices, which has particularly affected milk bread and apples - up ten per cent since May - signals the end of a cheap food era.

This summer’s record heatwave is behind many of the hikes, with volumes of some crops significantly impaired by the hot, dry conditions.

However, the Daily Mail said food experts are also warning that soaring fuel prices and commodity costs will see prices continuing to rise in the long term.

The cost of food is rising at its fastest rate in three years according to the Office for National Statistics. Food prices were 3.2 per cent higher this July compared to last - the biggest annual rise since December 2003.

However, a Tesco spokesman told the paper: “It is wrong to suggest that prices across the board are going up. Obviously poor harvests and changes in market conditions can have an effect on availability of produce.

“When wholesale costs go up, some prices will follow to reflect that change but we do all we can to keep prices as low as possible and deliver the best value for customers.”

An Asda spokesman said: “Despite oil prices nearly doubling in the last 12 months, we've done our best to keep our prices as low as ever.”

Malcolm Pinkerton, at the British Retail Consortium, also refuted the claim: “We definitely do not think it is the start of a trend. I don't see retailers suddenly putting up prices because customers simply won't put up with it.”

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