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It's well understood that Australians are getting much less for their money during the cost-of-living crisis.
With inquiries underway and little relief in sight, 9news.com.au crunched the numbers by comparing a grocery shop from one of the major supermarkets in 2021 with the same one today.
The result? A shop costs one-third (33 per cent) more today than it did then.
READ MORE: Grape grower claims farmers being sized out
A grocery shop of 18 everyday items cost $76.59 at the end of 2021, according to an itemised click-and-collect receipt.
We compared those items with their current prices and found the same shop would cost $102.43 now.
That's $25.84 extra for the same items.
Specials did play a part in the initial prices, while other external factors – rainfall, growing conditions and logistics – can play a part in the cost of produce items.
What prices increased?
The 2021 shop included ingredients for tacos, among other everyday items.
The biggest price changes were among non-perishable items.
Two taco kits were purchased for $10 in 2021 but it cost $17 to buy them today, which is a 70 per cent increase.
Another big increase was two bags of lollies that were $1.50 each but rose to $5, which is a 233 per cent increase.
It's believed they were on special for the original purchase and were not on special when the data was collected.
The price of chocolate has risen amid high demand and a supply deficit, which is reflected in the comparison.
A packet of Milky Top Freddos was purchased for $3.50 in 2021 but the same bag – not on special – costs $6 today.
A block of dark chocolate did not see the same inflation, only rising $1.
Shredded cheese also rose by $1.70 and washing liquid rose by 28 per cent.
READ MORE: How supermarket specials are hurting fruit and vegetable growers
Did anything decrease?
Most fresh fruit, vegetables and meat rose only slightly, but interestingly, apples stayed at the same price.
Broccoli and tomatoes were the only things to decrease in price.
Three tomatoes are 22 per cent cheaper now.
A head of broccoli cost $2.94 in 2021 but now costs $1.62, although the original head of broccoli could have been bigger than the one purchased now.
What does this price comparison reveal?
This comparison suggests you could be paying about 33 per cent more for each shop than you were about three years ago.
The price comparison is supported by a recent Australian Consumer Competition Commission (ACCC) survey that found young people and low-income earners are spending up to one-quarter of their income on groceries.
It also found others are skipping or sacrificing meals to feed their children.
READ MORE: Younger Aussies make sacrifices after spending one-quarter of income on groceries
Farmers have been struggling to remain profitable due to the purchase price of their produce being too low for some to make a profit.
Recently an Alice Springs grape grower told 9news.com.au he had to close his business because it was "impossible" for him to meet the standards of supermarkets and make a profit.
Another grower representative revealed to 9News.com.au that farmers were suffering from an increasing amount of supermarket specials.
The minimal change in price, or in some cases decrease, of meat and fresh produce reflects the distress farmers have been reporting to the Senate inquiry about their struggles to stay in profit.
READ MORE: How supermarket specials are hurting fruit and vegetable growers
The inquiry has been told the big supermarkets are abusing their power and should be broken up before there is a "societal breakdown", in the words of chairman and Greens Senator Nick McKim.
A review of the food and grocery code of conduct is urging hefty fines be imposed against major supermarkets for mistreating their suppliers.
It prompted Woolworths to call for other retailers like Amazon and Costco to be part of the code.
Shrinkflation
What the grocery shop hasn't taken into account is shrinkflation, when a product is reduced in size but prices stay the same or increase.
Consumer advocacy group Choice revealed 10 products that had been hit by shrinkflation in the first half of this year.
The price rises would hurt Australians less if it was isolated to only groceries but nearly everything is increasing due to inflation, which is not rising at the same rate as wages.
Interest rates have increased regularly since May 2022, going up 13 times in 15 months.
