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Agriland
4 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
CSO: Food prices increase by 4% in past year
Food prices are estimated to have risen by more than 4% since last year according to the latest data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) today (Friday, May 30). The EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for Ireland is estimated to have risen by 1.4% in the 12 months to May 2025 and remained unchanged since April 2025. This compares with HICP inflation of 2% in Ireland in the 12 months to April 2025 and an annual increase of 2.2% in the HICP for the eurozone in the same period. Looking at the components of the flash HICP for Ireland in May 2025, food prices are estimated to have increased by 1% in the last month and by +4.1% in the last 12 months. Energy prices are estimated to have fallen by 1.3% in the month and decreased by 2.6% over the 12 months to May 2025. The HICP, excluding energy and unprocessed food, is estimated to have gone up by 1.8% since May 2024. Eurostat will publish flash estimates of inflation from the EU HICP for the eurozone for May 2025 on June 3, 2025. Commenting on the data published today, statistician in the CSO Prices Division, Anthony Dawson said: 'The latest flash estimate of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), compiled by the CSO, indicates that prices for consumer goods and services in Ireland are estimated to have increased by 1.4% in the past year. 'Looking at the components of the flash HICP in Ireland for May 2025, energy prices are estimated to have decreased by 1.3% in the month and fallen by 2.6% since May 2024. 'The HICP, excluding energy and unprocessed food prices, is estimated to have risen by 1.8% since May 2024. 'Food prices are estimated to have grown by 1% in the last month and increased by 4.1% in the last 12 months. Transport costs have fallen by 3% in the month and decreased by 2.4% in the 12 months to May 2025,' he added. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the official measure of inflation for Ireland and is published monthly by the CSO. The CPI release for May 2025 will be published on June 12, 2025 and the final results of the HICP for Ireland for May 2025 will be published as part of the CPI release. The HICP is an index of consumer prices that has been harmonised to allow comparisons across eurozone countries. The CSO compiles the HICP flash estimates and final results for Ireland and submit those to Eurostat which then compiles the eurozone estimate and publishes that along with the results for the countries within the eurozone.
Agriland
08-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Full fat milk, cheddar and butter all see price increases over year to April
The national average price of two litres of full fat milk was up 27 cents in the year to April 2025 according to a new report published today (Thursday, May 8) by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) The price of a pound of butter also rose by 97 cents and the average price of Irish cheddar per kilogram increased by 79 cents in April when compared with corresponding prices a year earlier. According to the CSO the Consumer Price Index (CPI) – which measures the change in the average level of prices paid for consumer goods and services – for April 2025 rose by 2.2% between April 2024 and April 2025. The CPI is based on around 50,000 prices which are collected each month throughout the country for a representative basket consisting of 612 item headings – including goods and services. Anthony Dawson, statistician in the CSO prices division, said this is the 'second month in a row where the CPI has been at, or above, 2.0%'. Consumer prices rose by 0.4% in the month between March 2025 and April 2025 according to the CSO. CSO Dawson added: 'In April 2025, the most significant monthly price changes were in recreation and culture (up 2.1%) and communications (up 1.8%). 'The increase in recreation and culture was due to higher prices for package holidays. 'Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (down 0.2%) and clothing and footwear (down 0.2%) were the divisions to show the largest declines when compared with March 2025'. But the CSO said food and non-alcoholic beverages saw an annual increase 'due to higher prices across a range of products such as meat, milk, cheese and eggs, chocolate & confectionery, and mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juice'. National average prices also published today by the office – which compares prices for April 2025 compared to prices for the same product and service in April 2025 – highlights that while some staple household items have seen price increases others have remained static. Source: CSO -National Average Prices for selected goods and services for April 2025 One of the biggest jump in consumer prices was for butter but there was also a 17 cent decrease in a 2.5kg bag of potatoes while there was no change in the price of a large (800g) white sliced pan.
Irish Examiner
08-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Irish inflation rises to 2.2% in April
Irish inflation rose again in April, increasing to 2.2% compared to the same month last year. New figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Thursday show the latest inflation figures are up from 2% in March, marking its second consecutive rise. Excluding energy and unprocessed food, Irish inflation grew by 2.6% in the 12 months to April 2025. The divisions with the largest increases in the 12 months were recreation and culture, up 4.2%, and food and non-alcoholic beverages, which rose by 3.4%. The only divisions to record a decline when compared with April 2024 were clothing and footwear, which fell by 2.6%, and furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, down by almost 1%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.4% in April. The divisions with the largest rises in the month were recreation and culture, up over 2%, and communications, which rose by 1.8%. The divisions with the largest declines in the month were furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, and clothing and footwear, which both fell by 0.2%. "This is the second month in a row where the consumer price index has been at, or above, 2%," said CSO statistician, Anthony Dawson. 'There were price increases in April 2025 for a pound of butter (+97c), Irish cheddar per kg (+79c), two litres of full fat milk (+27c), and an 800g loaf of brown sliced pan (+2c)." "There were reductions in the price of a 2.5kg bag of potatoes (-17c), and spaghetti per 500g (-2c), while the price of an 800g loaf of white sliced pan remained unchanged when compared with April 2024," Mr Dawson continued.
Agriland
01-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Food prices up 3.1% since last year
Have you noticed your weekly grocery bill rising over recent months? Well, that may be because food prices have risen by more than 3% over the past year. The EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for Ireland is estimated to have risen by 2% in the 12 months to April 2025 and increased by 0.4% since March 2025. This compares with HICP inflation of 1.8% in Ireland in the 12 months to March 2025 and an annual increase of 2.2% in the HICP for the Eurozone in the same period, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). Looking at the components of the flash HICP for Ireland in April 2025, energy prices are estimated to have fallen by 0.3% in the month and decreased by 1.7% over the 12 months to April 2025. Food prices are estimated to have increased by 0.6% in the last month and by 3.1% in the last 12 months. The HICP, excluding energy and unprocessed food, is estimated to have gone up by 2.5% since April 2024. Commenting on the data, statistician in the CSO Prices Division, Anthony Dawson said: 'The latest flash estimate of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), compiled by the CSO, indicates that prices for consumer goods and services in Ireland are estimated to have increased by 2.0% in the past year. 'Looking at the components of the flash HICP in Ireland for April 2025, energy prices are estimated to have decreased by 0.3% in the month and fallen by 1.7% since April 2024. 'The HICP excluding energy and unprocessed food prices is estimated to have risen by 2.5% since April 2024.' Food prices Food prices are estimated to have gone up by 0.6% in the last month and increased by 3.1% in the last 12 months. Transport costs have fallen by 0.1% in the month and are up by 2.1% in the 12 months to April 2025. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the official measure of inflation for Ireland and is published monthly by the CSO. The HICP is an index of consumer prices that has been harmonised to allow comparisons across Eurozone countries. The CSO compiles the HICP flash estimates and final results for Ireland and submits those to Eurostat which then compiles the Eurozone estimate and publishes that along with the results for the countries within the Eurozone. While the final HICP results for the Eurozone are usually published by Eurostat around the middle of the month following the reference month, flash estimates are issued around the end of each reference month. Eurostat is expected to publish the final HICP results for the Eurozone for April 2025 on May 19, 2025.
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Food prices continue to rise, putting pressure on household budgets
The 'flash' estimate of inflation used across the European Union was 2pc in this country in April. This was up by 0.4pc since March, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). Annual price rises in this country, as measured by the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, of 2pc in the year to April compare with a rate of 2.2pc in the Eurozone for April. Energy prices are estimated to have fallen by 0.3pc in the month in this country, and decreased by 1.7pc in the year to April. But food prices are estimated to have increased by 0.6pc in the last month, and by 3.1pc in the last 12 months. The harmonised index, excluding energy and unprocessed food, is estimated to have gone up by 2.5pc since April last year. CSO statistician in the prices division, Anthony Dawson, said: 'The latest flash estimate of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), compiled by the CSO, indicates that prices for consumer goods and services in Ireland are estimated to have increased by 2pc in the past year.' He said energy prices fell slightly in the last year, but food prices are up. Transport costs have fallen by 0.1pc in the month and are up by 2.1pc in the 12 months to April 2025. April saw a string of price rises imposed on households. The cost of health insurance, energy, broadband, mobile and television services all went up. Eight different providers raised charges from the start of the month. The flurry of price hikes has prompted calls for the Government to go back on its decision to end the cost-of-living packages for consumers. Health insurers Laya Healthcare, Irish Life Health and new player Level Health all raised their prices. Some health insurance plans rose in cost by up to 16pc. From April 2, SSE Airtricity hit its 250,000 electricity and 85,000 gas customers with huge price rises of 10.5pc and 8.4pc, respectively. Dual-fuel customers will face annual bills that are €285 higher over a year. Telecommunications giant Eir increased prices for around two million customers. Bills for 600,000 Sky Ireland customers went up this month. Vodafone's broadband plans will rise by a flat €3.50 from April. Its broadband and TV plans will go up by €4.50. Mobile phone operator Three Ireland imposes a 4.5pc price increase on its monthly charges every April, according to its website. Only Virgin Media Ireland and Tesco Mobile have committed to freezing prices this year. The overall rate of inflation in this country has eased a bit in the past few months from as high as 9pc, but consumers are still paying elevated prices for goods and services after two years of rapid cost increases. This is especially the case with energy. Most prices are up between 20pc and 30pc over the last two years. Experts said it could take at least two years before people get back the purchasing power and standard of living they had before inflation took off after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is particularly the case with food prices, which have jumped by up to 25pc cumulatively over the last two to three years.
