This weekend's 25C weather sends demand for BBQ staples soaring

Last barbie of 2023: After a disappointing summer, this weekend’s last-chance sizzling 25C weather sends demand for BBQ staples soaring

Supermarkets have rushed millions of sausages, burgers, and chicken legs
Temperatures are expected to hit highs of 25C in some places this weekend

After a wet and disappointing summer, this weekend’s last-chance, sizzling weather has sent demands for BBQ staples soaring.

Forecasts for an unseasonable 25C (77F) meant sun-lovers yesterday were already stocking up on food for the grill, as well as ice creams and beers.

And supermarkets have rushed millions of sausages, burgers, chicken legs, strawberries and ice creams to stores amid a predicted rush this morning.

Rupert Bates, editor of BBQ Magazine, said: ‘This is likely to be the latest ever full-on BBQ weekend. Enthusiasts will BBQ in October, but you don’t often see the widespread grilling likely this weekend.

‘I think it will be one of those weekends where it’s a dash for straightforward fare like burgers and sausages rather than ribs.’

Shops received a warning earlier this week that the Indian summer mini-heatwave would cause higher than normal demand thanks to computer systems which predict demand.

This weekend’s last-chance, sizzling weather has sent demands for BBQ staples soaring (Stock Image)

Shops received a warning earlier this week that the Indian summer mini-heatwave would cause higher than normal demand (Stock Image)

Tesco, for example, estimated that between Friday and Sunday it expects to sell 300,000 packs of sausages, one million packs of burgers, 600,000 punnets of strawberries, 700,000 cartons of cream, 1.5million tubs of ice cream and ice lollies, three million bottles or cans of beer and 2.7million bottles of wine.

Tesco sausage buyer Tara Darbari said: ‘The great, unseasonal weather predicted for the weekend has created a real feel good factor in the anticipation of what could be one of the biggest October BBQ weekends.

‘BBQ opportunities were thin on the ground this summer and we think a lot of people will be in their gardens to make the most of the unexpected sunshine.’ Waitrose has also seen a rush on ice creams and B&Q saw higher than normal sales of charcoal.

Fine, dry and warm weather, is expected across England and Wales at the weekend and into Monday and Tuesday.

Oli Claydon, of the Met Office, said the fine conditions – contrasting with heavy rain in Scotland – are set to continue until Wednesday when a cold front is due to bring a fresher feel.

Expected temperatures – with highs in southern England of 24C (75F) on Saturday and even 25C (77F) on Sunday and Monday – are as warm as Barcelona.

Northern areas are set to reach 20-21C (68-70F).

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