London, Apr 3 (IANS): British food inflation soared in March to 2.5 per cent, hitting the highest since November 2013, according to figures released on Wednesday by British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Data showed that fresh food inflation accelerated to 1.9 per cent in March, reaching the highest level since October 2017.

Meanwhile, shop price inflation rose in March to 0.9 per cent, the highest since March 2013, Xinhua news agency reported.

March saw shop price inflation rise to its highest level in six years, driven primarily by a sharp spike in non-perishable food inflation, said Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of BRC.

"Nonetheless, the bigger threat to food inflation remains the risks of a chaotic no deal Brexit, which would lead to higher prices and less choice on the shelves," Dickinson said.

"In order to avoid this scenario, parliamentarians from all parties must find a compromise that can command a majority in the House of Commons," she added.