Wholesale prices in Ireland fell by 5.2% year-on-year in January 2026, following a 6.4% drop in December and marking the twelfth consecutive month of deflation. The decline was driven mainly by lower prices for electricity (-24.2%) and food products (-2.3%). Within the food category, there were sharp decreases in vegetables and animal oils and fats (-16.2%), as well as in other food products (-6.0%), partly offset by a 5.4% increase in prices for fish and fish products.
Prices also declined for beverages (-3.3%) and for mining and quarrying products (-3.1%). By contrast, there were notable increases in the prices of chemicals and chemical products (+21.0%); pulp, paper and paper products (+4.0%); and fabricated metal products, excluding machinery and equipment (+3.1%). Wholesale prices for construction products rose by 1.5%.
On a monthly basis, overall wholesale prices increased by 1.4% in January, after a 0.6% decrease in the previous month.
