The spike in fuel prices due to the war in the Middle East is driving "unsustainable cost increases" for independent butchers.

The president of the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland (ACBI), Jack Molloy, has warned that escalating fuel costs are having a "devastating impact" on small, independent butcher businesses across Ireland.

"Fuel is a fundamental cost in our industry, and the sharp increases we are seeing are affecting every aspect of how our members operate.

"From the transport of livestock and deliveries from suppliers to the distribution of products to customers, fuel costs are driving up expenses at every stage of the supply chain," he said.

Molloy noted that suppliers and logistics providers are passing on higher fuel charges to small businesses to absorb.

"Our members are being hit repeatedly. Every delivery costs more, every collection costs more, and every product we source is becoming more expensive because of fuel.

"These are not costs we can avoid," he added.

Fuel

The ACBI president said that independent butchers are in "a particularly vulnerable position", due to their limited ability to offset or absorb such increases.

"At the same time, we are very conscious of our customers, who are also struggling with the rising cost of living. Passing on the full extent of these increases simply isn’t realistic," he said.

Craft butchers

Molloy warned that the ongoing fuel crisis will put the long-term viability of many independent butchers at serious risk.

"The reality is that some will not survive, and that would be a huge loss to local communities across the country," he said.

The ACBI is calling on the government to take immediate action to address the impact of fuel costs on small businesses, including targeted supports to reduce the burden across supply chains.