Aldi, Lidl and Sainsbury’s have kicked off the annual Christmas vegetable price battle, offering bags of cabbages, carrots, parsnips and potatoes for just 19p.

The price deals, which include rutabagas and cabbages at 19 pence each, come despite concerns over rising costs for UK farmers amid inflation in labour, fertilizer and fuel for tractors and other vehicles.

In previous years, all major supermarkets have offered discounts on festive vegetables to try and entice shoppers, with prices dropping to 15p a bag.

However, this year the battle is likely to be fiercer, as rising cost-of-living pressures have forced cash-strapped households to be more careful about how and where they shop.

Comparable prices for Christmas dinner items are up 10%, according to the latest industry data, but shoppers can limit their spending by opting for own brands from supermarkets, local markets or discount chains.

Sales at Aldi and Lidl are up more than 20% while at Morrisons, Waitrose and Ocado have fallen, partly because they are seen as less price competitive than their biggest rivals.

Sainsbury’s and Tesco maintained growth in part by matching Aldi’s prices on a selection of key items, while Asda found success with a new range of cut-price own brands.

Sainsbury’s was the first of the big supermarkets to respond to Aldi and Lidl’s announcement of vegetable deals on Wednesday, with rivals expected to follow later this week. Its offer, which includes a 2.5kg sack of potatoes, up from Aldi’s 2kg and Lidl’s 1.5kg sacks, will be in stores from December 18, the same day Aldi , while Lidl moved three days earlier.

Aldi said its 19p deals will save shoppers up to 80% on six key Christmas vegetables.

The deals are likely to raise concerns over payments to producers, after the National Farmers Union warned this week that the UK could ‘doze in further food supply crises’ after problems with eggs and turkeys caused by soaring energy costs, bird flu and labor. shortages.

Meanwhile, the supply of some vegetables, such as cabbages and potatoes, has been oversupplied as the warm autumn brought harvests forward and dampened demand for traditionally winter foods.

Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, said: “Christmas is an expensive time for many families across the UK, but customers can rest assured that Aldi will always offer groceries at the best value. price quality.”

She added: “Shoppers can rest assured that Aldi’s incredible vegetable offerings come at no cost to its suppliers. The supermarket carefully plans all promotions and works with UK producers on a fixed seasonal or annual cost price. This means that regardless of in-store promotional activity, producers receive the same fair price as usual. »