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Agriland
6 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
CSO: Ireland had 6th most expensive food prices in 2024
Ireland was the sixth most expensive country in terms of food prices in 2024, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), published today, Wednesday, July 23. In its publication 'Price levels of food, beverages and tobacco 2024: How Ireland compares', a total of 36 countries in Europe were surveyed. The most expensive country for food was Switzerland, with Ireland ranked sixth having food prices which were 12% above the EU27 average and the least expensive listed as North Macedonia. Ireland was the third most expensive country in the Eurozone for 'bread & cereals', the sixth most expensive country for 'fruits, vegetables, & potatoes', the eighth most expensive for both 'milk, cheese & eggs, and fis'h, the ninth most expensive for 'meat', and the 12th most expensive for 'oils & fats'. In terms of alcoholic beverages, the most expensive country in the study was Iceland, while Ireland ranked fifth and Italy was the least expensive for alcoholic drinks. Ireland topped the list of countries for the most expensive non-alcoholic beverages and also tobacco in 2024, with prices for such beverages 40% higher than the EU27 average, The non-alcoholic beverages category included: coffee; tea; cocoa; mineral waters; soft drinks; concentrates; fruit juices; and vegetable juices. Turkiye was the least expensive for tobacco and North Macedonia had the cheapest non-alcoholic beverages. Commenting on the results, senior statistician in the Prices Division at CSO Ireland, Edel Flannery said: 'Looking at how the price levels of food, beverages, and tobacco in Ireland compared with other European countries in 2024, Ireland was the second most expensive country in the Eurozone and third most expensive of the 27 European Union (EU27) countries for food, with prices 12% above the average for the EU27. 'Of the 36 countries surveyed, food was the most expensive in Switzerland at 61% above the EU27 average, and the least expensive in North Macedonia at 27% below the EU27 average.' CSO The information is compiled from data collected as part of the Eurostat-OECD Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) programme, under which price data on food, beverages and tobacco in 2024 was collected by 36 European national statistical offices. Information for Ireland was collected by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The countries included in the analysis, in 2024, were: The 27 member states of the European Union (EU); The three European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries (Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland); The six candidate countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkiye). In the 'Food, Beverages & Tobacco 2024' survey, prices were collected for 456 individual items covering the main broad categories including: Bread & Cereals; Meat; Fish; Milk, Cheese & Eggs; Oils & Fats; Fruits, Vegetables & Potatoes; Non-Alcoholic Beverages; Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. The results presented are based on the price levels for a fixed basket of items.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Irish food and alcohol prices among highest in Eurozone, with basic groceries far above EU average
Ireland is the second most expensive country in the Eurozone for food and alcohol, with consumers paying significantly more for items like milk and bread compared to the EU average, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has said. In a new release analysing data published last month by the European Commission, the CSO said it shows how Ireland compares with other European countries, with this country ranking among the most expensive across several categories. Irish consumers pay 12% more for food than the EU average, while alcohol prices are nearly double the European average. Statistician Edel Flannery said: 'Looking at specific food categories, we can see that except for Meat, prices for the various types of foods in Ireland were all higher than the EU27 average in 2024. 'Prices for Breads & Cereals were 17% higher than the EU27 average, while Milk, Cheese & Eggs were 11% higher, Fruits, Vegetables & Potatoes were 9% higher, Oils & Fats were 6% higher, and Fish prices were 5% higher.' In the category covering coffee, tea, mineral waters, soft drinks, and fruit juices, Ireland was the most expensive of 36 European countries, with prices 40% above the EU average. For tobacco, prices in Ireland were more than twice the EU average, at 159% higher. Across the Eurozone — comprising the 20 countries using the euro — Ireland ranked either first or second for the cost of food, drink, and tobacco. These figures come amid a growing backlash against the rising cost of groceries. Month-on-month CSO data shows food inflation is consistently outpacing overall inflation. For tobacco, prices in Ireland were more than twice the EU average, at 159% higher. The most recent figures reveal that grocery inflation is more than double general inflation, as Irish households pay more for basic necessities. A recent Barnardos survey found that over two in five families are cutting back on essentials like heating, electricity, food, and medical appointments due to rising costs. Two in five parents reported skipping meals or reducing portion sizes so their children would have enough to eat. Charities have urged the Government to provide targeted supports in the upcoming Budget for families hit hardest by inflation. However, ministers this week indicated the hospitality sector is set to be the main beneficiary, with a planned VAT cut expected to cost €1bn. Meanwhile, the consumer protection watchdog said it has conducted a series of unannounced inspections at retailers nationwide. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said it identified multiple breaches of consumer protection law, including inaccurate or missing price displays on items for sale. 'Consumers need to see prices up front in order to make informed choices,' the CCPC's Patrick Kenny said. 'If our enforcement officers find breaches of consumer protection law, we will act.' Separately, Junior Enterprise Minister Alan Dillon has asked the CCPC to investigate supermarket profitability and whether barriers exist preventing new retail chains from entering the Irish market, The Irish Independent reported this week. Read More Gardaí urge public to be vigilant over latest eFlow scam texts
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Irish food prices second most expensive of the 20 countries that make the Eurozone
When food and non-alcoholic prices in this country are compared with the 27 countries that make up the European Union, they are the third most expensive. Luxembourg was the most expensive country for food and non-alcoholic beverages last year. Prices for food here are 12pc above the average in the 27 countries in the European Union, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). When meat prices are taken out, Irish prices for the various types of foods in Ireland were all higher than the EU27 average in 2024. CSO statisticians said Ireland was the third most expensive country in the Eurozone for bread and cereals. We are the sixth most expensive country for fruits, vegetables, and potatoes. When it comes to milk, cheese, eggs and fish, this country is the eight most expensive. Meat prices in oil are the ninth most expensive in the Eurozone, and this country is the 12th most expensive for oils and fats. Ireland has emerged as the most expensive for non-alcoholic beverages when prices were compared across 36 European countries last year. Prices here for the likes of Coke and non-alcoholic beers are 40pc higher than the EU27 average. This country is the second most expensive country in both the Eurozone and EU27 for alcoholic beverages. Tobacco prices in Ireland were the most expensive of the 36 countries surveyed in 2024, at 159pc higher than the EU27 average. CSO senior statistician in the prices division Edel Flannery said: 'Looking at specific food categories, we can see that except for meat, prices for the various types of foods in Ireland were all higher than the EU27 average in 2024.' She said that last year prices for bread and cereals were 17pc higher than the EU27 average. Milk, cheese and egg prices were 11pc higher than the EU average. Fruits, vegetables and potatoes prices in the supermarkets were 9pc higher. 'For alcoholic beverages, Ireland was the second most expensive country in the Eurozone in 2024, with prices just under double the EU27 average (98pc higher),' she said. Ms Flannery said that for tobacco, Ireland was the most expensive of the 36 countries surveyed in 2024 with prices 159pc higher than the EU27 average. Luxembourg was the most expensive country for food and non-Alcoholic Beverages within the European Union and the Eurozone, which is made up of 20 countries. Romania was the least expensive of the European Union countries, while Slovakia was the least expensive within the Eurozone. Daragh Cassidy of price comparison site said it has been known for a while that Ireland is an expensive country and these figures from Eurostat confirm that. 'There are several reasons why prices here are so high,' he has said. 'These include our higher wages, a lack of competition in certain sectors, high taxation on certain goods such as tobacco, alcohol and fuel, and lower government subsidies in certain areas such as public transport and childcare compared to our European neighbours.' He said businesses are also faced with high insurance and energy costs, which then get passed on to consumers. Mr Cassidy said Ireland will never be a cheap place to live.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Ireland is Europe's most expensive country for non-alcoholic drinks while food prices 12% above EU average
Ireland is the most expensive country in Europe for non-alcoholic beverages and for cigarettes, figures from the CSO reveal. The survey of price levels of food, beverages, and tobacco covered 36 European countries in 2024. It showed that Ireland was the most expensive for non-alcoholic beverages, with prices 40% higher than the EU average. Non-alcoholic beverages included coffee, tea, cocoa, mineral waters, soft drinks, concentrates, fruit juices, and vegetable juices. Ireland was the second most expensive country in both the Eurozone and EU27 for alcoholic beverages, with prices of alcohol in Ireland just under double the EU27 average in 2024. Of the 36 countries surveyed, Iceland had the highest prices of alcohol, at 185% above the EU27 average. Alcoholic Beverages were cheapest in Italy, at 16% below the EU27 average. Tobacco prices in Ireland were the most expensive of the 36 countries surveyed in 2024, at 159% higher than the EU27 average. Food prices in Ireland were 12% above the EU27 average in 2024, making them the second most expensive in the Eurozone, and third most expensive in the EU27. "Looking at specific food categories, we can see that except for meat, prices for the various types of foods in Ireland were all higher than the EU27 average in 2024," said CSO senior statistician in the prices division Edel Flannery. "Prices for breads and cereals were 17% higher than the EU27 average, while milk, cheese and eggs were 11% higher, fruits, vegetables and potatoes were 9% higher, oils and fats were 6% higher, and fish prices were 5% higher." Each of the 36 countries collected prices for as many items as possible. Eurostat then combined the results to create the price level indices, which provide a comparison of countries' price levels in 2024 with respect to the EU27 average.
