On an annual basis, prices accelerated last month at the fastest pace since February 2024, with education, clothing, and food prices all contributing to the headline consumer price index (CPI) increase. Food prices have increased due to higher global prices for a range of staples like cocoa and coffee beans amid weather-related disruption to agriculture and supply chains. Thomas Pugh, chief economist at RSM UK and RSM Ireland, said the decline in food price inflation from 4.5 per cent 4.3 per cent is “good news”. Prices in this category accounted for almost 18 per cent of the headline 3.2 per cent increase in the CPI. Energy prices, which have fallen sharply after spiking in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, remain elevated and have underpinned consumer price inflation this year.

Source: The Irish Times December 11, 2025 16:09 UTC