Wholesale food prices up by 4.5% in September 

Prices for food, beverage, and tobacco products have increased by 3.5%, according to the CSO

The wholesale price of dairy products increased by 11.1% over the 12 months to September. 

The wholesale cost of food continued to increase by 4.5% in September compared to the same period last year, with dairy products and meat seeing significant hikes.

New CSO data shows that the wholesale price of dairy products increased by 11.1% over the 12 months to September, while the cost of meat and meat products increased by 7.1%.

Prices for food, beverage, and tobacco products increased by 3.5%.

The cost of fruit and vegetables were flat over the course of the year while oils and fats saw a cost decline of 16.2%.

Earlier this week, data from market research firm Worldpanel by Numerator showed grocery price inflation is now running at 6.5% in the 12 weeks to October 5. 

This is up from the 6.3% recorded in September and 3.4% recorded in January of this year.

It is also well ahead of the headline inflation rate of 2.7%.

During last month, the wholesale cost of electricity fell by 2% compared to August with prices now 16.2% lower than they were in September 2024.

However, households will not be seeing these lower costs passed on to them as numerous energy companies earlier this month instituted price increases adding hundreds of euros to customers' annual bills.

Bord Gáis announced it would hike prices by 12.1% resulting in average prices increasing by €18.16 per month. 

Pinergy said it would increase prices by 9.83% leading to costs increasing for households by €16.58 a month.

SSE Airtricity raised prices resulting in an average increase of €12.58 a month.

Energia increased its prices by 10.9% for electricity customers, adding €3.94 a week to average electricity bills, and by 12.1% for those on its smart meter electricity plan adding €3.94 a week to bills.

In terms of all energy fuels, wholesale prices rose by 1.1% month-on-month but were down 6.4% compared last year.

Across the entire wholesale price index, inflation showed a decrease of 0.4% compared to August and by 2.6% compared to September last year.

Overall, the CSO data shows that domestic producer prices for manufactured goods were on average 1.2% higher in September compared with a year earlier with producer prices for exported goods down by 3.1%.

Overall, manufacturing producer prices were 2.6% lower in the year.

The cost of chemicals and chemical products saw a significant 30.8% annual increase.

Wholesale prices for construction products have risen by 1% with increases of 7.4%, 6.9%, and 5% recorded in metal fittings, plaster, and concrete respectively.