Irish spent $2.6 million on sausages during hottest summer in seven years

Met Eireann, Ireland’s meteorological authority, has confirmed that this summer was the best the country has seen in seven years, which meant a lot of sausages on the BBQ.

The data showed that some areas in Ireland had their sunniest and driest conditions in two decades. Some stations in the west, south west and midlands of Ireland reported their warmest summer in 10 to 18 years.

This July nine stations reported heat waves, five days in row with a maximum temperature of over 77F (25C). The highest temperature recorded was in Dooks, west Kerry on July 19 where it topped out at 87.8F (31C)

The mini heat waves experienced in June and July were very welcome following the wet summer of 2012 and the record rainfall in winter and spring this year.

A spokesperson for Met Eireann said, “This year the index was above average and it is considered to be the best summer since 2006.”

Research from Kantar Worldpanel shows that the Irish also spent big this summer with $2.6 million spent on sausages alone. Overall retailers enjoyed a $40 million boost in July and August with people cashing in on ice cream, cider and meat.

David Berry, from Kantar Worldpanel, told the Irish Independent, “The good weather has clearly had a positive effect on the grocery market, with consumers spending more on traditional barbecue and picnic foods.”