LATEST: Price of a pint in Ireland surges by more than 18% in just three years

The average cost of a pint in Ireland has risen by nearly €1 in just three years, new figures have revealed.

The average price of a pint of draft has reached a new high of €6.065, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). This compares to  €5.796 in June 2024; €5.517 in June 2023 and €5.132 in June 2022. 

The latest Consumer Price Index further reports that food prices in Ireland were 12% higher than the EU average in 2024, making Ireland’s grocery expenses the second highest in Europe. 

CSO statistician Anthony Dawson, said: “The most significant increases in the 12 months to March 2025 were seen in alcoholic beverages and tobacco (+4.2%) and food and non-alcoholic beverages (+3.3%)."

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The Consumer Price Index further found that the cost of tobacco was the most expensive in Europe - with prices 159% higher than the EU average.

The price of butter has increased massively over the past year, with 454 grams having increased by €1.10 this year, now costing the consumer on average €4.83 a pound. 

Meanwhile, the price of two litres of milk has increased by 27 cents, and the average price of Irish cheddar cheese has been upped by 95 cents.

Commentators have linked the high price of groceries in Ireland to the lack of supermarket competition in the country. 

Junior Enterprise Minister Alan Dillon recently commented: “Competition is vital not just for fair pricing, but to give consumers real choice. Ireland is an open, dynamic market and I’m determined to ensure that remains the case."