Food prices out of line - Producers, consumers lose out

THE European Union confirmed yesterday what all of those who cross the border to shop in the North have known for some years — Irish food, tobacco and drink prices are amongst the highest in Europe.

Eurostat yesterday published a report based on 2009 prices that showed Ireland was the second most expensive of 27 countries when the price of approximately 500 comparable products was reviewed. Only Norway was more expensive.

Though food prices have fallen somewhat in recent time, consumers, food producers and farmers will be equally perplexed by this report. Consumers because they pay so much, farmers and other food producers because they are paid so little.