Prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages in December 2025 were 4.1% higher than prices in the same month of 2024, according to data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The Consumer Price Index shows that prices for consumers across the economy were 2.8% higher in December 2025 compared to December 2024.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages saw the third largest shift in price, after education, up 8.9%; and clothing and footwear, up 5.7%.

The food and non-alcoholic beverages category was just ahead of the restaurants and hotels category, which saw an increase in prices of 3.6% from December 2024 to December 2025.

Consumer Price Index for 2025

The Consumer Price Index for the year as a whole shows that the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 4%, which was the largest upward change in any category, followed by education, up 3.9%; restaurants and hotels, up 3.1%; and alcoholic beverages and tobacco, up 3.1%.

During 2025, prices for energy products fell on average by 0.2%, compared to a decline of 7.7% for 2024.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages was found to be the sector accounting for the third-largest contribution to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for 2025, behind restaurants and hotels; and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels.

The increase in prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages was attributed to increases in meat; chocolate and confectionary; milk, cheese and eggs; and bread and cereals.

Between December 2024 and December 2025, the price of meat increased by 11.8%.

Within that, the price of beef and veal increased by 22.4%; pork increased by 14.2%; lamb and goat increased by 18.9%; and poultry increased by 8.1%.

From December 2024 to December 2025, the price of milk, cheese and eggs increased by 3.7%.

Within that, the price of fresh whole milk increased by 2.2%; fresh low-fat milk increased by 2.5%; cheese and curd increased by 3.8%; and eggs increased by 5.4%.

Under the oils and fats category, the price of butter increased by 8.2% between December 2024 and December 2025.

According to the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which allows for comparison of consumer price trends in the different EU member states, the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages was 4.2% higher in December 2025 compared to December 2024.