Could ‘El Niño’ push food prices even higher? What to do it you’re worried about the cost of food

Warnings are growing that a powerful El Niño weather event could be on the way, and it may have an impact on food prices.

With many households already feeling the squeeze from rising living costs, any further increase in grocery bills will be a concern.

What is El Niño?

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern that begins in the Pacific Ocean. It causes sea surface temperatures to rise, creating a large heat source that can increase global temperatures and disrupt weather patterns around the world.

The phenomenon occurs every two to seven years and varies in strength. During an El Niño event, temperatures across a vast area of the Pacific can rise by around 0.5°C above the long-term average.

How could it affect food prices?

Some experts have warned that this year's El Niño could be particularly powerful, potentially leading to more extreme weather conditions around the world.

Disrupted weather can affect crop yields, damage harvests and put pressure on global supply chains. In turn, that can push up the cost of food and other commodities.

Speaking to the Mirror, weather expert and founder of British Weather Services, Jim Dale, said the latest El Niño could be intensified by the effects of climate change.

Any further pressure on food supplies could be felt by UK households already dealing with the cost of living crisis, rising energy bills and higher everyday expenses.

So, if you're worried about the cost of food, what can you do to make your money go further?

How to cut the cost of your food shop

While food price rises are largely beyond your control, there are plenty of ways to reduce the cost of your weekly shop.

Shop around

If you tend to visit the same supermarket every week, it may be worth comparing prices elsewhere. You could find better deals on the products you buy most often.

Create a household budget

Knowing exactly how much money you have coming in and going out can help you prioritise your spending and avoid overspending on groceries.

If you don't already have one, creating a simple household budget is a good place to start.

Write a list, and stick to it

Before heading to the shops, plan your meals for the week and make a shopping list of everything you'll need.

Having a plan makes it easier to avoid impulse purchases and helps reduce food waste.

Shop smart

Focus on affordable, versatile ingredients that can be used in multiple meals.

Items such as rice, pasta, frozen vegetables and tinned goods are often inexpensive, last a long time and can form the basis of several meals throughout the week.

Understand food labels

Knowing the difference between use-by, best-before and sell-by dates can help you avoid throwing away food that’s still perfectly safe to eat.

Less waste means more savings.

Make smart swaps

If a regular ingredient has become more expensive, consider whether there's a cheaper alternative.

For example, tinned tomatoes can often be used instead of a more expensive pasta sauce, helping you cut costs without sacrificing flavour.

Check our regular money saving tips

Check back here regularly for our round-ups of standout deals and low-cost recipes that can save you money in the supermarket.

We’ve also got more tips on how you can keep the cost of your food shop down.