Today’s warning from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) that grocery prices are set to rise further in the second half of this year highlights the need to give the Agri-Food Regulator additional powers, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said:
“With households already struggling under the weight of soaring everyday costs, the latest Quarterly Economic Commentary from the ESRI will come as more unwelcome news.
“The report urges policymakers to closely monitor food prices in the months ahead after research revealed an 8 to 10-month lag between rising energy costs and grocery bills. This suggest that the impact of the war in the Middle East will not be fully reflected in shopping baskets until the autumn or winter of this year.
“Higher input costs for producers – for fertiliser, animal feed and green diesel – are expected to translate into increased food prices in the months ahead, heaping further pressure on struggling households.
“But with suspected price gouging by supermarkets continuing to squeeze household budgets, it’s more important than ever that we can see a breakdown of the costs being incurred by producers in the agri-food sector.
“Earlier this year, I introduced a Bill to give the Agri-Food Regulator the enhanced powers it needs to compel the provision of necessary price and market information from relevant businesses in the agri-food supply chain. This will allow it to fulfil its price and market data analysis function.
“While the Government previously signalled its intention to give the Agri-Food Regulator additional powers, progress on this issue has been far too slow. The latest warning from the ESRI on more food price hikes is further proof of the need for my legislation to be enacted as soon as possible.”
June 25, 2026