Is the impact of the war in the Middle East on Irish consumers becoming any clearer? Spread over the course of a year and the extra cost to consumers will amount to around €550. What impact could higher energy prices have on household budgets? Wholesale energy costs make up between 40 and 50 per cent of the final price that Irish households pay. Well, we know that the war in the Middle East will lead to higher energy costs, which will lead to higher costs for food producers and higher manufacturing costs and higher distribution costs.

Source: The Irish Times March 15, 2026 20:30 UTC