Spike in cost of some food and drink products over last year, CSO finds

By Cate McCurry, PA

There has been a spike in the price of some food and drink products over the last year, with the average price of butter costing an extra €1.10 compared to last year, the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures show.

Food inflation rose by 4.6 per cent since June of last year, more than double that of the general Consumer Price Index (CPI), which rose by 1.8 per cent in the same period.

The figures show that excluding energy and unprocessed food, the CPI grew by 2 per cent in the 12 months to June this year.

The national average price of full fat milk per two litres was up 27 cents in the year, while butter per lb rose by €1.10 and the average price of Irish cheddar per kg increased by 95 cents.

The CPI for June shows that the price of a pound of butter rose by 28 per cent to €4.83 from June last year to last month.

The prices of diary products experienced a sharp rise over the last 12 months, with milk, butter and cheese most affected.

The national average price for bread – a white sliced 800g pan – increased by six cents in the year to June 2025, while the same size brown sliced pan increased by five cents in the year.

Spaghetti per 500g was unchanged in the year, while the average price for 2.5kg of potatoes was down 29 cents.

The national average price of a take-home 50cl can of lager at €2.41 was down two cents from June 2024, while a take-home 50cl can of cider at €2.71 was up three cents.

In June 2025, the national average price of a pint of stout in licensed premises was €6.07 euros, up 27 cents in the year, while a pint of lager was €6.49, up 29 cents compared with June 2024.

Other areas affected by sharp inflation increases were recreation and culture, which spiked by 3.5 per cent.

The divisions to record the largest declines when compared with June 2024 were clothing and footwear, which fell by 2.3 per cent, and transport, which dropped by 2 per cent.

Consumer prices rose by 0.5 per cent in the month between May 2025 and June 2025.

Anthony Dawson, statistician in the Prices Division, said: “Today’s release of the CPI shows that prices for consumer goods and services in June 2025 rose by 1.8 per cent on average when compared with June 2024.

“The most significant increases in the 12 months to June 2025 were seen in food and non-alcoholic beverages (+4.6 per cent) and recreation and culture (+3.5 per cent).

“The annual change in food and non-alcoholic beverages costs reflects a rise in prices across a range of products, such as beef and veal and butter.

“Clothing and footwear (-2.3 per cent) and transport (-2.0 per cent) were the divisions to show the largest declines when compared with June 2024.

“Consumer prices in June 2025 rose by 0.5 per cent in the month compared with June 2024, when prices were up by 0.4 per cent in the month.

“In June 2025, the most significant monthly price changes were in recreation and culture (+3.6 v) and transport (+1.2 per cent).

“The increase in recreation and culture was due to higher prices for package holidays.

“Clothing and footwear (-0.5 per cent) and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (-0.4 per cent) were the divisions to show the largest declines when compared with May 2025.”