British food inflation hits record high amid Brexit uncertainty

LONDON -- British food inflation soared in March to 2.5 percent, hitting the highest since November 2013, according to figures released Wednesday by British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Data showed that fresh food inflation accelerated to 1.9 percent in March, reaching the highest level since October 2017.

Meanwhile, shop price inflation rose in March to 0.9 percent, the highest since March 2013.

March saw shop price inflation rise to its highest level in six years, driven primarily by a sharp spike in non-perishable food inflation, said Helen Dickinson, chief executive of BRC.

"Nonetheless, the bigger threat to food inflation remains the risks of a chaotic no deal Brexit, which would lead to higher prices and less choice on the shelves," Dickinson said.

"In order to avoid this scenario, parliamentarians from all parties must find a compromise that can command a majority in the House of Commons," she added.