A spokesperson for Arla Foods, owner of butter manufacturer Lurpak, has said that rises in price across its range of products in UK supermarkets reflect the increase in costs of production for farmers at the start of their supply chain.

According to several Twitter users, a 750g tub is currently £7.25 in Sainsbury’s. Commenting on the price increases, Sainsbury’s said: “The price of products will be influenced by a range of factors, including manufacturer’s costs, and we are doing all we can to mitigate rising costs where we can.”

Asda also said its largest pack of Lurpak had been at about the £6 mark since last year, driven in part by growing inflation.

Arla Foods said that the company understood that recent grocery inflation was affecting consumer budgets and that prices on the shelves have had to rise in recent months as a result of pressures further down the supply chain.

It added: “Unfortunately, our farmers are facing a similar situation with prices for the feed, fertiliser and fuel they need to produce milk, all rising significantly in recent months.

“While we don’t set the prices on the shelves, we do work closely with the retailers to ensure our farmers receive a fair price for the milk they produce.”