The cost of an average Christmas dinner for a family of four has increased by 2% this year, reaching €34.74, according to new figures from Kantar. The rise in prices is primarily driven by higher costs for turkey and traditional Christmas vegetables.
Data reveals that key festive food items have seen significant price hikes compared to last year. Brussels sprouts and mince pies have both seen increases of over 10%, while carrots are up by 6.6%. The price of parsnips has risen by 12%, and potatoes have become 4.3% more expensive. Turkey prices, a Christmas dinner staple, have also risen by 5.1%.
However, not all items have experienced price increases. The cost of cranberry sauce has fallen by 9.4%, and gravy is also 4.7% cheaper this year.
Kantar’s report also shows that overall grocery inflation in Ireland increased to 3.6% in December, up from 3.3% in November. Despite the rising costs, take-home grocery sales surged in the lead-up to Christmas. In the four weeks leading up to December 1, sales reached €1.24 billion, marking a 5% increase in value.
November proved to be a significant month for grocery sales, becoming the biggest sales month of the year. The number of shopping trips also rose by 1.4% compared to the same period last year.
SuperValu maintained the largest share of the market at 19.9%, with a 3.5% growth in sales. The grocer saw an increase in shopping trips, with consumers making an average of 24.4 trips over the past 12 weeks, contributing €20.2 million to its performance.
Lidl captured a 13% share of the market, with a 5.9% increase in sales, driven by more frequent shopping trips and higher spending per visit. This added €35.4 million to Lidl’s sales compared to the previous year.
Aldi also experienced growth, holding an 11.2% market share, up 2.5% from last year. Increased trips to Aldi contributed €25.5 million to its overall sales performance.
Despite the rising costs, shoppers are continuing to spend more as they prepare for the festive season, reflecting a resilient demand for groceries amid inflationary pressures.
