Irish consumers pay 29% more than the European Union average for food and non-alcoholic drinks, according to a new Eurostat survey.

The survey of 37 European countries shows that Ireland has the fourth highest prices for food and non alcoholic beverages, behind Norway, Switzerland and Denmark.

We pay 32% more for Bread and Cereals; 21% more for Meat; 37% more for Dairy Products and 67% more for Alcohol, the latter being the second highest behind Finland.

These prices are particularly acute when compared to our nearest neighbour and biggest export market, the UK. There, prices are 3% below average overall. Bread is 16% lower than the Euro average and dairy produce 5% cheaper. Meat is 2% dearer.

Along with Ireland, Finland, Luxembourg, Austria, Belgium, Germany and France are 10-30 per cent above the EU average. Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Sweden are up to 10 per cent above the average, while the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, Slovenia, Malta and Portugal are up to 10 per cent below.

This data comes from a report issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. The results refer to the survey on food, beverage and tobacco prices carried out in 2009 in the 37 participating countries. This survey covered a total of approximately 500 comparable products.