Cost of Easter rises as chocolate, hot cross bun and lamb prices soar

Exchanging Easter eggs and tucking into a roast dinner are among the highlights of the spring holiday but Britons face paying more for this year's celebrations after a sharp rise in the price of essentials such as chocolate, lamb and hot cross buns.

- Zoe Wood

A leg of lamb joint now costs on average £13.94 a kilo in supermarkets, which is 10%, or £1.31, more than last year, according to the price analysts Assosia. Over two years, the jump is nearly 27%, or approaching £3 more a kilo, based on the pre-promotion price across Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons.

The price of hot cross buns has also crept up. Supermarkets are charging an average of £1.71 for a four-pack of premium "extra fruity" buns, which is 19p, or 12%, more than last year.

Last year Britons spent more than £255m on Easter eggs, according to the data company Kantar. However, this year consumers are often being asked to pay more for a smaller egg.

When pack sizes are reduced and prices stay the same, or even go up, it is called "shrinkflation". Some chocolate eggs from big names such as Cadbury and Mars have increased in price by more than 50% per 100g, according to research by the consumer champion Which?.