Why has the cost of food continued to climb so steeply? 

The CSO has recently calculated that the cost of food has surged by 4.6% between July 2024 and July this year.

So what factors are influencing the increase?

For Siobhán Hubbard from Newbard Organic Farm in County Waterford, much of the increased cost for consumers can be traced back to the difficulties farmers are facing. 

 “Currently, I know some farmers are travelling up to 300 kms round trip to get a pig done,” Siobhán told Josh Crosbie for The Pat Kenny Show. 

“That’s not sustainable; it’s really unfair on the farmer, it’s really unfair on the consumer because then give them pork when they want it because we’re not consistent enough. 

“Which means we become unreliable, which then puts us at a loss. 

“So, where do we go from here? I really don’t know.” 

Grazing sheep. Picture by: incamerastock / Alamy. 

While prices may be increasing, Ms Hubbard insists that farmers’ profits are not going up. 

“I wish we were receiving a few more pounds,” she said. 

“It’s getting harder and over the past few years, it’s got even harder. 

“It’s got even more of a struggle. 

“We’ve seen the price of feed doubled, electricity, diesel, every input that we’ve had on the farm has doubled. 

“We can’t double the price of our meat overnight because the consumer won’t pay for it.” 

A cow looking at the photographer. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

Ms Hubbard added that they would love to get a “little bit of help and support” from the Government. 

“So that we can deliver on Government goals like short food chain policies and short food chain supplies,” she said. 

Main image: Shoppers browse supermarket aisles. Picture by: Robert K. Chin / Alamy