Food prices are surging, reflecting a dramatic increase in payments to farmers, with cattle prices rising by 40% in the last year and milk prices by 18%. These hikes are contributing to overall food inflation, which has grown by 20%. The Central Statistics Office noted unprecedented increases in beef prices. Despite these challenges, the Taoiseach indicated a lack of new corrective measures in the upcoming budget, leading to criticisms from opposition leaders regarding a disconnect from public concerns over rising costs.
Recent figures show the price of a pound of butter in the shops has already risen by close to â¬1 over the past year to an average of â¬4.69, a jump of more than 26pc.
Economists have warned that shoppers can now expect to pay even more to fill a trolley with food because the prices paid to farmers are rising so fast.
CSO statisticians said that overall prices paid to farmers for their produce in the year to March had jumped by 20pc, leading to fears that food inflation will get worse.
Micheál Martin confirmed to the Irish Independent last week in Brussels that there would be targeted measures on social protection and tax adjustments for 2026 - but no universal measures or "once-off" reliefs.
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