A North Clare restaurateur believes customers will be happy to pay higher prices for food as long as they’re getting a good quality product.
It comes amid fears of food price hikes as new data shows a surge in the amount farmers are being paid by processors.
It looks to be good news for those in the agriculture sector but mighn’t be as well received by the average consumer.
The Central Statistics Office has revealed that in the 12 months to March 2025, cattle prices paid at marts rose by a staggering 40%.
The output price for milk which affects the cost of butter, has soared, by almost 18%, meanwhile, with sheep prices rising by more than 4%.
Due to the sharp rises in prices at the farm gate, speculation is mounting that the cost of basic food items in the supermarket is set to increase.
Cratloe farmer and former General Secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Assocation, Eddie Punch says it’s about time farmers were renumerated for the work they put into producing high quality produce.
Co-owner of the Monks Restaurant in Ballyvaughan, Patrick O’Donoghue, believes farmers aren’t to blame for rising food costs.
He says if the Government wants to make groceries more affordable, while also easing the burden on businesses, it should tackle commercial rates, VAT and energy costs.
You can listen to the full interview here:
