Crunch time for biscuits

BISCUIT prices are set to rise steeply after butter costs rocketed by 73%.

Producers have been absorbing the increase so far but it will be passed on in the run-up to Christmas.

Shortbread and fudgemakers will be the worst hit, say industry experts.

Sian Holt, of Fudge Kitchen, in Kent, said butter prices started rising after the Brexit vote.

She added: “Every small producer will have reached the point where they can no longer absorb the costs.”