The managing director of data consulting company Kantar has said many essential foodstuff items have increased at a rate that outstrips grocery price inflation – which has increased by 9.5% when compared to prices from last year.”In many instances prices are rising higher than that,” David Berry said.

“If we look at some of the staple items that would be on people’s shopping list such as milk, butter, bread and eggs, we’re seeing prices increase by over 15% in those categories.

“It’s really the base cost of producing the food that is increasing and that is being passed on to the prices that consumers are having to pay.”

The latest figures from Kantar show that grocery inflation in Ireland is at its highest level in 14 years.

“It was back in July of 2008 when the level was last slightly ahead of what we are seeing now,” Mr Berry said.

“It was at 9.7% in 2008,” he added.

Mr Berry said that in January of this year prices were increasing by 1.7%, a little ahead of the long-term average, but have since reached the current 9.5% food inflation figure.

The Kantar figures show that own label products now account for 46.7% of the total Irish grocery market spend, up 2.7% from 2020.

“The focus at the moment is very much on everyday low prices rather than promotional deals,” Mr Berry said.

“Certainty there are fewer deals on the shelf at the moment,” Mr Berry said.