Coles, Woolies, or IGA? Where to score the cheapest Christmas ham this year
With no sign of cost-of-living pressures easing in the lead-up to the festive season, Christmas may be arriving under a cloud of budget stress.
Still, we want to have our ham, roast, the sides, the desserts, and the gifts! And with major supermarkets beginning to release their festive ranges already, it gives us a chance to check out the prices and plan ahead. Starting with the centrepiece: Christmas ham.
Some supermarkets have released their Christmas hams for 2026. Jo Abi
So far we have Christmas ham ranges from Coles, Woolworths and IGA, all competing for our festive spend − and eachhas ensured an affordable ham features in their line-ups.
This year, the major supermarkets have once again price matched on their affordable hams, with Woolworths, Coles, and IGA offering half leg hams for $8 per kilo.
The major supermarkets have once again price matched on their affordable hams. Woolworths
For Woolworths, this will be the fourth consecutive Christmas with hams at this price. Its range of 14 Christmas hams will begin arriving in stores from October 22.
Annette Karantoni, Managing Director for Woolworths Retail said: “By keeping our Australian Half Leg Ham at $8 per kilo for the fourth Christmas in a row, our customers can enjoy their holiday traditions without stretching their Christmas budget.
A new highlight from Woolworths this year is the Apple Cider and Honey Glazed Ham. This boneless selection is infused with Tasmanian apple cider from Willie Smith, smoked over mountain ash wood and finished with a honey glaze, dried apple slices, and fresh rosemary. The range also features 60-minute trays in two varieties: Honey, Fig and Rosemary Glaze and Davidson Plum and Honey Glaze.
Over the season, Woolworths expects to sell around 1.2 million ham products, which equates to more than 4.3 million kilos. Of this, more than 650,000 are Half Leg Hams.
For Woolworths, this will be the fourth consecutive Christmas with hams at this price. Getty
Over to Coles, and its Coles Single Smoked Beechwood Half-Leg Ham is also back and priced at $8 per kilo.
The supermarket has promised more than 200 Christmas products are priced at $10 or less, while the Coles Finest Christmas range has grown 40 per cent to 49 products this year.
Coles Chief Executive Officer Leah Weckert said customers want Christmas to feel special without spending the whole day preparing meals.
“Customers are thinking carefully about both their time and money this Christmas, so we’ve focused on giving them more choice across the shop, from more than 200 products at $10 or less to our biggest Coles Finest Christmas range yet,” she said.
Customers are thinking carefully about both their time and money this Christmas. Getty Images
“We’ve also taken care of more of the preparation, from slow cooking the turkey to partially pre-slicing the ham and creating entertaining options ready in minutes. Customers can add their own finishing touches, put something impressive on the table and take the credit.”
IGA is also stocking shelves with festive favourites, including its famous award-winning Naturally Smoked Bone In Half Leg Ham. Sourced from Australian farmers and available through IGA’s Price Match Program for $8 per kg.
IGA is also stocking shelves with its famous award-winning Naturally Smoked Bone In Half Leg Ham. IGA
For those who like to finish Christmas lunch on a sweet note, IGA is also introducing two new additions to its festive range, which are also included in the Price Match program. The Baker’s Oven Christmas Pudding for $6, and Baker’s Oven Fruit Mince Pies for $4.30 per six-pack.
Rounding out the festive spread are Christmas favourites including Community Co Iced Fruit Cake, Country Chef Pavlova and Divine Foods Christmas Cookies in three varieties at $5.10 per 12-pack.
All eyes on Aldi and Costco
Aldi is yet to release its Christmas ham prices for 2026, but in 2025 their starter price was $7.99.
“Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without an Aldi ham,” an Aldi spokesperson told nine.com.au.
“While they haven’t hit shelves just yet, our iconic, delicious Christmas hams will be arriving soon, bringing all the festive flavour Aussies know and love at an incredible Aldi price.”
The discount supermarket’s official Christmas range starts arriving in stores today (October 21) and includes more than 100 festive finds across seafood, turkey, desserts, treats and easy entertaining including its iconic Curated Collection Premium Lobsters Tails with Garlic Butter Glaze ($32.99) are back at their lowest price since 2022, so shoppers can bring a little luxury to the Christmas table.
Belinda Grice, Group Director, Seasonal & Special Buys, Aldi Australia said, “Whether it’s hosting family and friends, bringing a plate to Christmas lunch or stocking up on festive treats, we’ve got Christmas covered at Aldi.
Aldi is also starting to release its range of festive foods. Nine
“Australians are looking for ways to make their money go further, especially at Christmas. That’s why we’ve focused on creating a festive range that delivers exceptional quality and value, helping customers enjoy everything from Christmas lunch to summer entertaining without compromising on the products they love,” Grice added.
Costco is also yet to release details of its 2026 Christmas range, but if 2025 is anything to go by, the discount retailer will offer shoppers plenty of bargains for their festive spreads.
