To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) for his assessment of the rise in supermarket food prices; and (ii) to detail what conversations he has had with (a) supermarkets; (b) other food producers and suppliers, regarding mitigations for these rises.

My Department has not carried out any assessment into the rise of supermarket food prices, however the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, and arm’s length body of the Department for the Economy, is working with the Office for National Statistics to pilot the first ever Regional Consumer Prices Index (rCPI). This experimental research will enable the tracking of prices and inflation specifically for Northern Ireland households. The initial report is due to be produced this year.

My Department has not had any conversations or meetings with supermarkets or other food producers/suppliers regarding mitigations for these rises.