It is going to cost a whole lot more when you fire up the BBQ in the back garden this summer.

For the cost of beef is at an all-time high, with prices up almost 40 pence per kg on July 2016, representing an 11 per cent year on year increase.

A report by Beacon, the purchasing company, says the price of that other BBQ favourite, pork, is also on the rise with costs up almost a third on last year and 20 per cent higher than those in 2015.

Paul Connelly, Beacon managing director, said: "The cost of British, Irish and Imported beef has risen and continues to rise dramatically, with current prices at an all-time high.

"Prime beef and trim is in huge demand from both the UK retail and foodservice sectors but also more critically from abroad. The latest Foodservice Inflation figures show that costs are up by nine per cent, the highest they have been in nine years and it is only a matter of time before suppliers and foodservice outlets will not be able to swallow up these increases and they'll begin to be passed onto the consumer."

"In the long term, we predict that beef prices will begin to soften. The increased prices and strong export market are making cattle an attractive farming proposition again, and through an 18-month turnaround period, we could see the availability of UK beef increase and therefore prices steady.

"The same cannot be said for pork production, which looks likely to struggle to remain competitive against international exporters and adverse exchange rates - so your sausages may be set to stay pricey."

Imported cattle costs are also at an all-time high, reflective of the weak pound, increased demand from other world markets and supply issues as a result of severe droughts.

An increased number of farmers leaving the market has led to pork price increases, as supply is reduced and costs pushed up. Imported pork prices are also continuing to rise because of continued increased demand from China.

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