Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1457. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures the Government is taking to bring the increases in food prices under control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60058/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department has no role in determining or intervening in prices for food commodities at farm-gate or retail level. Market prices are a matter between suppliers and buyers.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) reports monthly on Agricultural Output Prices, trends in prices paid to farmers for their produce, and Agricultural Input Prices, trends in prices paid by farmers for purchases of goods and services. These prices are sensitive to geopolitical and global economic trends and shocks and have seen considerable volatility since 2021.

Higher commodity prices, particularly in beef and milk, have been driven by lower levels of supply and strong demand globally.

In recent months Agricultural Output Prices have moderated, decreasing by 3.4% in the period to August 2025 from their peak in April 2025. It should be noted that agricultural output prices are only one element of food prices because the final cost also includes processing, transportation, packaging, marketing, and retail costs. As approximately 90% of Irish dairy products and beef are exported it is global rather than domestic prices which mainly determine farm gate prices for milk and beef cattle, in Ireland.

Agricultural Input Prices have remained largely stable, increasing by 2.4% in the 12-month period to August 2025. While slowing inflation and normalising supply chains have help reduce input prices relative to their peak in 2022, it is important to note that they remain at an elevated level compared to pre-2021 levels.

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (The Agrifood Regulator) ensures compliance with, and enforcement of, legislation on unfair trading practices in the agrifood supply chain. It also provides information on the agrifood supply chain through the analysis of price and market data.