The headline inflation in the Irish economy slowed to 7 percent in March - mainly due to the lower energy prices on the international markets. However, food prices were still rising. Food prices in Ireland rose by 1.1 percent and had risen 13.5 percent in the last 12 months.
New figures at the start of April from Kantar showed that grocery price inflation rose again in recent weeks and stood at 16.8%, up from 16.4%.
Kantar said its latest figures showed that although value sales are up significantly, grocery price inflation is still the driving factor rather than just increased spending. Food prices going up are a reflection of the higher input prices faced by producers.
Although core inflation levels are levelling off, the continuing rise in the prices of food is most certainly having a corrosive effect on people's economic means. Inflation will moderate over this year all the analysts are predicting - however the euro in your average punter’s pocket feels substantially lighter than it did 12 months ago.
