Dermott Jewell: Consumers need more clarity about why so many prices are rising

Expectations are high in terms of transparency in pricing across the chain of supply

For over 20 years, the Consumers’ Association of Ireland has been tracking the price of an average basket of supermarket goods. 

Unsurprisingly, the March survey reflected an increase of just over 4% in prices since 2019. I say "reflected" because within weeks the same basket had risen 7% and, as confirmed by the latest reading of the CSO Consumer Price Index, consumer price inflation continues unabated.