Food Inflation Hits 5.1% in August – Highest Since December 2023, Says CSO
Food prices in Ireland rose by 5.1% in August, marking the highest annual increase since December 2023, when food inflation stood at 5.6%, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The CSO reported notable price increases across several key food items last month, including butter, milk, bread, and beef.
In broader terms, overall consumer prices rose by 2% in the year to August, up from 1.7% in July. This marks the first time the annual inflation rate has hit or exceeded 2% since April, when it reached 2.2%.
When measured using the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) — which excludes mortgage interest — inflation increased to 1.9% year-on-year, up from 1.6% the previous month.
The CSO also highlighted a 3.4% year-on-year rise in Clothing & Footwear prices in August, while the cost of Transport declined by 2.3%.
As part of its National Average Prices report, the CSO detailed specific price increases for selected goods and services in August:
- Irish cheddar cheese (1kg): +€0.93
- Butter (1lb): +€0.91
- Full-fat milk (2L): +€0.28
- White sliced pan (800g): +€0.07
- Brown sliced pan (800g): +€0.04
- Spaghetti (500g): +€0.01
These figures reflect continued pressure on household grocery bills, with food prices remaining a key driver of overall inflation.