farm, food & countryside

the cost of food...

...you've never had it so good

Ever wondered whether the food you eat costs more or less in real terms than it did

Then wind the years on to 2003 when the next generation of the Average family sat

a generation ago? Imagine the Average family sitting down to watch England win

down to watch England win the Rugby World Cup final.

the 1966 World Cup final while having a few snacks. In 1966 Mr. Average earned

£20 a week. How long would it have taken them to earn the food they snacked on?

The food items are the same but

And what percentage of the money the Average family pays for food actually

now Mr. Average earns over £500 a

goes to the farmer who produces it?

But as for house prices...

week. How has the cost of food the

Time to earn (minutes)

Average family eat in 2003 altered

Unfortunately some things have not gone

in relation to earnings?

1966

2003

down in price in relation to earnings.

02.40

Loaf of Bread

In 1966 it takes 25 minutes to earn

25

In 1966 the average family house cost

the price of a standard loaf.

Bread 13%

Chicken 30%

Apples 49%

05.00

£4,500, that is four years earnings.

Chicken 500g

In 2003 it takes just 2.7 minutes.

57

By 2003 the price is £140,000,

In real terms food in Britain has

05.00

equivalent to five years earnings.

One kilo apples

never been so affordable as it is

41

today. Modern British agriculture

02.20

One kilo potatoes

5

10

helps deliver that affordability.

04.20

Beef 250g

4

44

Beef 46%

Potatoes 15%

Milk 30%

01.17

3

One pint milk

1966

2003

10

2

The rest goes to the processor and the retailer. The farmer's share of the food

based on DEFRA statistics

pound has fallen 25% in the last 15 years.

1

Average cost of a house

24

25