Big rises in grocery prices

A supermarket survey has shown an 11 per cent increase in the past year in the cost of the average shopping basket, containing beef, milk, eggs, and vegetables. In 2004 the average price for these goods was €18.14; in 2005 it has risen to €20.89. The largest increases were in carrots and milk, with an increase of almost 80 per cent on both these products. The price of milk rose by 21 per cent, yet in the same period the farmer's price has fallen by almost 15 per cent. The average price of carrots went up from 0.88 cent to €1.58. On the other hand the farmer's price for eggs went up by 106 per cent, but the price in the supermarket increased by 77 per cent. The survey was conducted by Fine Gael.

Emma Browne