You’re Not Imagining It, Ireland’s Groceries Are Getting Even More Expensive
You’re Not Imagining It, Ireland’s Groceries Are Getting Even More Expensive
Text: Izzy Coepstake
The cost of everyday food is continuing to rise.
If your weekly grocery bill feels steeper than ever, that’s because it is. New data has confirmed what most Irish shoppers already know: the cost of everyday food is continuing to rise. According to the latest figures from retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel, supermarket prices rose by nearly 5% over the past year, compared to just 2.5% this time last year. That means the rate of food inflation has more than doubled in 12 months.
While overall inflation has eased in recent months, grocery inflation continues to outpace it dramatically. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) has risen by about 21% since 2021, the cost of a typical grocery basket has jumped 36% in the same period. That widening gap helps explain why Irish households feel squeezed even if the broader economic picture appears to be stabilising. It’s not just that everything costs more, it’s that food, the most basic of essentials, is getting pricier faster than almost anything else.
Adding to the frustration is the rise of shrinkflation: a practice where product sizes shrink, but prices remain unchanged. From chocolate bars to breakfast cereals, consumers are getting less for their money, even when price tags appear to hold steady. In some cases, manufacturers have also quietly reformulated products, replacing more expensive ingredients like cocoa with cheaper alternatives.
In terms of price rises, some of the biggest jumps are in staples. Milk that once cost €1.99 now sells for €2.69. Chicken breasts, formerly under €5 a kilo, are going for over €11. Even a jar of instant coffee is 65 cents more than it was two years ago.
There isn’t a single explanation of why this is occurring, but it’s more of a combination of factors. Global conflict, like war in Ukraine, climate disruptions, and commodity price surges, continue to push up costs. At home, energy bills, transport fees, and wage increases for workers add pressure. Meanwhile, Ireland’s push to reduce agricultural emissions to curb Ireland’s wider emissions by 51% by 2030 has led to smaller cattle herds, pushing beef and dairy prices even higher.
In response to public frustration, there have been renewed calls for a government inquiry into supermarket pricing practices. Some TDs have demanded closer scrutiny of how costs are passed on to consumers, questioning whether profit margins are being kept artificially low on paper while prices continue to climb in practice. Although a previous investigation found no evidence of price gouging, pressure is mounting for more transparency from major retailers.
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