The index of producer prices for food products was 2.3% lower last month compared to January 2025, according to new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

When beverages and tobacco products are included in the figures, the price index for producers dropped by 2.4%.

The figures are part of the CSO's data on the wholesale price index for Ireland.

The index for producer prices refers to a group of indices that measure the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers of goods and services.

Within those figures for food producers prices, the index for meat and meat products increased by 1.7%, while the index for fish and fish products increased by 5.4%.

The index for fruit and vegetables was unchanged, while the index for vegetables and animal oils and fats decreased by 16.2%.

According to the CSO data, the index for dairy products increased 2.8%, while the index for grain milling, starches and animals feeds fell slightly by 0.2%.

The index for 'other food products' decreased by 6%.

Outside of food production, the wholesale price index for electricity decreased by 24.2% last month when compared to January 2025.

In terms of other energy products, the wholesale price indices for petrol and autodiesel decreased by 4.2% and 4.1% respectively.

The index for gas oil (other than autodiesel) decreased by 11.5% January to January, while the index for fuel oil decreased by 8.9% over the same time period.

Looking at capital goods, the index for transportable goods for use in agriculture increased by 2.6%, while, for non-transportable capital goods, the index for those used in agriculture and industry increased by 1.9%.

Employment in agri-sector

Other recent data published by the CSO has shown that there has been an increase in the number of people employed in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.

According to the CSO's Labour Force Survey, 109,300 people were employed in the sector in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025.

This marks an increase from the 107,700 people working in the sector in the same three-month period in 2024.

This growth appears to have been driven by an increase in the number of women in the sector, which stood at 18,100 in Q4 2025, compared to 16,500 in Q4 2025.