The Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) confirmed today that since last year the prices of some agricultural products such as meat and dairy have risen considerably here in Ireland, compared to prices in the rest of the European Union.
The CCPC had come to that conclusion having undertaken an investigation into the grocery retailer sector and finding that there is no evidence indicating any issues regarding competition among retailers, in terms of food prices.
The CCPC Commission further confirmed that consumers had seen a 27% rise in grocery prices, in the past 4 years, but prices remained well below the average EU increase of 35%.
I wonder did the CCPC observe the difference in butter prices? Let us take a peep.
Let us take a look at what Irish Butter, bearing the IE 1024 EC tag “Made From Irish Grass-Fed Cows”, wrapped in similar gold foil, contains in the table shown hereunder.
Note: “IE 1024 EC” refers to the identification mark used on food products in Ireland (IE) that meet specific European Union (EU) regulations. The no. “1024” is the unique approval number assigned to a particular food establishment in Ireland. “EC” signifies that the product was processed within the European Community.
| Butter Brand & Quantity. | Price & Quantity. | Energy. | Fat/ Saturates. | Carbohydrates. | Sugars. | Protein. | Salt. |
| Kilteely. 454g. | €3.99/€4.00. | 3034kj/738kcal | 81g/51.7g | 1.9 | 0.6g | 0.2g | 1.5g |
| Kerrygold. 454g. | €5.49/€5.50. | 3059kj/744kcal, | 80g/53g | 0.6g | 0.6g | 0.6g | 1.8g |
| Dairy Manor. 454g. | €3.99/€4.00 | 3034kj/737kcal | 81g/51.7g | 1.9 | 0.6g | 0.2g | 1.62 |
Question: So what is the difference between one brand and another?
Answer: €1.50 in price and little else. Also notice the healthier product, with less salt, is €1.50 cheaper.
Maybe someone can contact me to explain, what I regard as a massive price anomaly for nothing extra for consumers.
While I am on the subject of prices; coins valued at 1 cent and 2 cent while still remaining legal tender in Ireland, are being phased out of general circulation due to the high cost of minting them.
Since 2015, a “rounding” system for cash transactions has been in place, with total amounts rounded to the nearest 5 cents.
When will we stop our supermarkets pricing goods, like butter as being €3.99, while only accepting €4.00 for such products? This “rounding” as it is called, only applies to cash transactions and does not apply to payments made by card or other electronic methods.
The only difference is the wrapping Kerrygold butter is the same as Irish Creamery Butter but charged more for the nice foil.
My concern is why butter has increased dramatically from €2.19 two Years ago to €3.99 today. In a mass produced item costs haven’t increased to the extent of the increase. I believe it’s price gouging. It’s all very well for the CCPC to say the prices are not as high as the rest of the E.U. They advocating a leveling of prices and thus the supermarkets and dairy companies are increasing prices accordingly. These regulatory bodies only ever seem to agree to advocate price increases to the detriment of the consumer. The price of electricity to name but one. It’s the most expensive in Europe.
I totally agree. Reason for Electricity increases is because providers wish the consumer to pay for necessary & immediately required upgrades. It has little to do with manufacturing costs. Truly same is another form of personal taxation.
The kitchen paper towels I buy have doubled in cost in just two years.
With a government headed by two ministers for foreign affairs, we find ourselves being led by two power hungry individuals who honestly expect us to believe that, through them, this small island is influencing world politics. Their actions and the actions of some Irish MEPs have angered countries like America, Israel and indeed our EU partners, while here at home we find we cannot even build a house or a hospital for our needs.