As Europeans prepare for Easter celebrations, new analysis reveals climate change is significantly impacting traditional holiday food prices. Research by Zero Carbon Analytics for the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) found that successive climate shocks since 2022 have pushed lamb prices in the UK up by between 7 and 21 percent each time. The analysis warns that for the 2.6 million British households who eat lamb regularly, this has added up to £168 (approximately €192.64) in extra costs over the past three years.
According to Eurostat data, overall food prices in Europe rose by 3.3 percent last year, slightly above the bloc's average inflation rate of 2.5 percent. Lamb prices specifically surged by 7.2 percent, making it one of the fastest-rising food items. Chris Jaccarini, an analyst at ECIU for land, food and farming, stated: 'As families and communities sit down to celebrate this Easter, the cost of climate change is hitting home.'
As families and communities sit down to celebrate this Easter, the cost of climate change is hitting home.
Separate Eurostat data shows egg prices have increased much faster than overall inflation across Europe. While EU inflation stood at 2.3 percent in December 2025, egg prices rose by 9.3 percent. Spain recorded the highest egg inflation at 31.3 percent, followed by North Macedonia (26.3 percent) and Portugal (20.9 percent). The one-year market price increase for eggs reached 18.4 percent in the EU.
Jack Cockburn, a sheep farmer in Ceredigion, Wales, explained the challenges: 'Here in West Wales, extreme weather is our biggest challenge. We've had two very wet winters in a row, which has meant poor grass growth due to waterlogged soils and low light levels with the very cloudy conditions.'
Here in West Wales, extreme weather is our biggest challenge. We've had two very wet winters in a row, which has meant poor grass growth due to waterlogged soils and low light levels with the very cloudy conditions.
The analysis found that the UK's heavy rainfall in Winter 2023/2024 added an extra £5 (€5.73) to the price of a lamb roast at Easter 2024, and a further £7 (€8.03) at Easter 2025. Experts say this demonstrates that even in temperate, high-income countries with developed agricultural sectors, extreme weather events can leave 'surprisingly persistent price effects.'