Food prices are estimated to have increased by 0.8% in Ireland in the last month, according to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) today (March, 31).

The CSO today published the flash estimates of inflation from the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for Ireland for March 2025.

Anthony Dawson, statistician in the CSO prices division, said the latest estimates indicate that prices for consumer goods and services in Ireland are estimated to have risen by 1.8% in the past year. 

Dawson added: "Food prices are estimated to have gone up by 0.8% in the last month and increased by 3.2% in the last 12 months.

According to the CSO analysis of the the flash HICP for Ireland in March 2025 also shows that energy prices are estimated to have fallen by 1.0% in the month and decreased by 0.4% over the 12 months to March 2025. 

The ongoing trend of increasing food prices in Ireland comes against the backdrop of growing concern about the impact that US trade tariffs could have on the Irish economy and in turn consumer spending power.

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has warned that the the potential impact of US tariffs could have "a notable effect on the Irish economy".

Last month the CSO National Average Prices report for selected goods and services for February 2025 showed that consumers are continuing to see higher prices at the till.

According to Anthony Dawson, statistician in the CSO prices division said there were price increases in February 2025 for a pound of butter - which rose by 70c - Irish cheddar per kg up by 50c and two litres of full fat milk, which increased by 26c.

However he also added that there were reductions in the price of a 2.5kg bag of potatoes - which fell by one cent and an 800g loaf of brown sliced pan, which also dropped by one cent, while the price of an 800g loaf of white sliced pan remained unchanged when compared with February 2024.