We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
THE PRICE OF food and drink in Ireland has fallen six per cent since 2008, according to Retail Ireland.
The IBEC group said food inflation remains very low in Ireland, with the price of alcohol and food falling in recent years.
Retail Ireland made the comments, based on Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures, following the publication of a Consumers’ Association of Ireland (CAI) report on Irish food prices – which said the typical cost of a basket of groceries had risen 12 per cent in the past two years.
The CAI said its latest supermarket basket survey was conducted in mid-January 2013 and found “significant price increases across a range of branded products” since it last priced these items in May 2011.
The CAI stated:
Having levelled off between 2008 and 2011, price inflation has returned in the Irish grocery sector. Taking a sample of 19 branded goods that are representative of a standard supermarket basket, the CAI found that prices have risen over the last 20 months for 16 of those products, with percentage hikes ranging from 5.5 per cent to 38 per cent.
The CAI survey also claimed Ireland’s main supermarket chains are engaging in “price matching” – saying: “Many of the items in our survey were priced identically across the four major supermarkets – Dunnes Stores, Superquinn, Supervalu and Tesco. In a trend that has continued since the 2011 survey, it seems that the supermarkets would rather match each other’s prices than try to beat them.”
However, Retail Ireland Director Stephen Lynam said there had been “very modest” inflation in the Irish economy, and that the CSO’s
Consumer Price Index (CPI) – which surveys over 50,000 prices taken on 632 item headings – showed that food and non-alcoholic beverage prices have fallen by 6.3 per cent since in the past five years.
“The EU Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices, which allows for international comparisons, shows that the price of food and non-alcoholic prices increased by only 0.6 per cent last year, lower than any other country in the European Union. This 0.6 per cent increase is compared to an EU average increase of 3.0 per cent and increases of 3.2 per cent in the UK,” Lynam said.
He added that Irish retailers were continuing to offer “excellent value for money, despite operating in an extremely difficult environment.”
“Consumer demand has fallen, while costs such as rents, utilities and commodity prices remain high,” he concluded.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
The only reason why my food cost has reduced is thanks to Lidl and Aldi. Even shopping in Tesco’s is getting dearer.
Drink might be, but food ain’t. Packaging has gotten smaller and the grams in most stuff has gone down plus god knows what cheap replacements they’re using in processed crap. Price of oil has risen 36% in 4 years which has a knock on effect on everything so the inflation figures are most likely rigged like everything else.
Surely the shopping should be much cheaper overall now that we’re eating horses and donkeys.
*isn’t
Sorry but that report is bollox!!! I’ve noticed our weekly in our house has increased in last 12 months. Especially the baby and infant products. Not denying that drink might be cheaper but I think food has definitely increased in price especially in the local super markets eg: Centres, super values and Spars. Even a couple of items would make dust of your €20 note.
Think you should read the report properly. . it states that prices HAVE increased since the survey was last conducted in May 2011, but compared to 2008 prices are lower.
I doubt it….
Wo does their weekly shopping in a centra of spar? Of course it’ll make a twenty turn to dust they’re more expensive than everyone else.
Simon Barnes, some people don’t want to hear the facts. You’re right. Look how many red thumbs you got for stating the facts.
Cost of living is an emotive topic.
19 branded goods is too small to use for any kind of meaningful hedonic measure of consumer prices.
That’s not what they said on the news this morning. A basket of item had risen from €36 to €40 in 2 yrs. So which is right…. I’m guessing not the one here…
The CPI surveys over 50,000 items.
But do they shop?
On the radio this afternoon it said that your daily necessities, tea, sugar, milk and bread is now 12% dearer than in 2008.
”However, Retail Ireland Director Stephen Lynam said there had been “very modest” inflation in the Irish economy”
who does this guy think he is fooling – . very modest infaltion ??. Has the price of fuel been taken into account – and as for food – prices are rising . we have inflation – and headed for Hyper inflation . the price sometimes may be same or nearly so – but as has been said the boxes and their contents are getting smaller – and the horsemeat thing was no accident – was in fact cost cutting – but they got caught – this time . the lies about infaltion are to keep wages down – as if they were not down enough .
We’ve had very significant inflation, on top of stealth taxes, increased standard taxes and household bills, with more to come. €50 left at the end of the month ( with no social life) I guess they’ll take that too…
could not agree with you more JIm
if you want premium brands you gotta pay a premium, this horse meat drama is a perfect example.
and you know exactly what your are getting in premium brands eh.. because it say so on the packaging .. LOL
Well i know that anything thats sold frozen, ain’t premium dude.
What about Haagen-Dazs?
Top Ice Cream brands maybe an exception man.
What about Mr. Freeze?
As far as I am aware Birds eye only use thoroughbreds in all their products.
Have just heard the suggestion on news that as consumers we should have questioned the fall in price of beef containing products… And not be so surprised now it’s been found that there was little beef in them!!!.. Nothing like blaming the consumer I guess… Should we now disbelieve every package contents statement… If the price comes down?
Only for aldi and lidl we would still be getting ripped off
“Very modest inflation” my arse, The price of food has gone mad even in the last year, More propaganda which the Journal is only too happy to report. If only the media could present us with the FACTS, and not unrelenting propaganda,
We seem to be living in an era of relentless media spin and bullcrap. I thought the purpose of the media was to inform and make people aware, not just to regurgitate propaganda.
one example ive noticed..last year aldi cream crackers 26cent…..this year 39cent…..dearer than tesco..and believe me..i dont like tesco
Rip off Ireland alive and well with non enforcement of any proper standards to compare with continental shoppers. Prices on average 18% higher for food and up to 32% higher for electricity and gas compared to European prices.government policy has also played its role by a hands off free market approach as not to damage the kick backs from large food and utility companies who fund the majority of political parties in the Republic if Ireland similar to business of oil and gas companies who have a free hand with Ireland’s natural resources like the Corrib Gas field.
I would be shocked if IBEC were misinforming us. Surely irish businesses would not dream of ripping off the Irish consumer. I mean look at the exemplary practices of Anglo Irish, BOI, AIB, Irish Nationwide etc ….. Oh wait !
There are talking through there horses with an a
I’ve definitely noticed an upward trend in my groceries bill and that’s after implementing cost saving measures..
Some staple items have increased by up to 20c at a time over the past few months, it’s getting ridiculous..
With regards price checks.. Some of the items are not comparing like with like.. I noticed a price check last week that was comparing 454g butter to 500g butter. Superquinn V Tesco. Superquinn were saying that they were the same price as Tesco when in actual fact Tesco were charging the same price for a pack 46g less.
You can’t trust any of them, if you don’t pay attention and just take their words for it you will get ripped off.. I remember when I was young my friends mom always brought a calculator and notepad out shopping with her – I thought she was a bit odd, now I completely understand why..
have your say