Butter Retail Price Index up significantly in September

Published 18 October 17

September’s butter Retail Price Index (RPI) has seen one of the highest monthly increases in recent years, moving up 6.5% compared to August. The index, which measures changes in the prices of goods sold by retailers (or prices paid by consumers), is now nearly 20% higher than September 16.

While not fully following the significant rises in wholesale butter prices, it has clearly been influencing the index. The increases to wholesale butter prices started around April 16, with a dip between November 16 and February 17. The RPI for butter saw a similar pattern, albeit later on. The index rose from September 16 until January 17 before a blip and rising again in June 17.