Consumers to be battered with higher cost of Shrove Tuesday pancakes

The Central Statistics Office’s breakdown of pancake inflation highlights the increase in costs of ingredients for a basic pancake mix using eggs, milk, and flour, comparing product prices from December 2023 and December 2022.

Don't flip out but you will feel an extra financial pinch this year when shopping for ingredients for pancakes ahead of Shrove Tuesday.

New figures show the cost of making the beloved family favourite pancake has risen by 3% in the past year.

The Central Statistics Office’s breakdown of pancake inflation highlights the increase in costs of ingredients for a basic pancake mix using eggs, milk, and flour, comparing product prices from December 2023 and December 2022.

Cost of Pancake Ingredients have Crêpe-d Up https://t.co/YwBm2E5KSA… #CSOIreland #Ireland #ConsumerPrices #Inflation #Deflation #Prices pic.twitter.com/UitqlI8Rfn

— Central Statistics Office Ireland (@CSOIreland) February 9, 2024

According to the CSO's National Average Prices basket, the average price of a 2kg bag of self-raising flour has risen by 10% from €2.39 to €2.62 in 12 months, while the price of six eggs went from €2.16 to €2.21.

However, the average price of two litres of full-fat milk dropped from €2.26 to €2.18, skimming 3% off the overall cost in December 2023.

The cost of a 1kg bag of sugar rose by 24% from €1.51 to €1.88, meaning adding a little sweetness to your pancakes this year will cost you an extra 6.4%.

The CSO added the average price of lemons or lemon juice is not included in the National Average Prices basket.

The costs were calculated as part of the National Average Prices basket, forming part of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation in Ireland.

Valentine's Day

Romantics looking to spoil that special someone on Valentine's Day this year will also see their wallets taking a battering, with the costs of chocolates rising by 9% and flowers rising by 0.7%.

The CSO also notes Ash Wednesday falls on February 14 this year, marking the beginning of Lent — a time when people are usually eager to give up vices such as cigarettes and alcohol for 40 days.

The basket looked at some of the old favourites, such as a packet of cigarettes increasing in price by 6% in 12 months, with a box of 20 now costing €16.34, up from €15.39.

The price of a pint of stout has jumped from €5.20 to €5.64, a rise of 8%, while a pint of larger has gone from €5.73 to €6.06, up 6% since December 2022.