Leitrim Café owner fears for survival 'box of tomatoes doubled in price in seven days

A café owner from Carrigallen has warned that rising fuel and transport costs are putting small businesses under serious pressure, as the ongoing crisis continues to impact communities across the northwest.

Fika33 Café owner Elizabeth Doonan says her business has been hit by sharp increases in the cost of fresh produce and deliveries, with prices rising at an unsustainable rate.

Originally from Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim, Doonan returned to Ireland from Nice, France in July 2024 before opening her café in Killeshandra later that year. While the business has been growing steadily, she says the current climate is making it increasingly difficult to stay afloat.

“We’ve seen a massive hike in most of our prices, especially fresh produce,” she said. “Our deliveries are coming from further away now, and suppliers are passing those transport costs directly onto us.”

Costs doubling ‘within days’

Doonan described how basic ingredients have surged in price, pointing to one example where the cost of tomatoes doubled in just a week.

“One week, seven kilos of tomatoes were €22. The following week, they were €42 or €46 depending on the supplier. That kind of increase in seven days is just not sustainable.”

The café employs two full-time staff and around five part-time workers, adding further strain as overheads continue to rise.

“The hospitality industry is already tough for small businesses. Staff have to be paid first. But with electricity, heating and produce all going up, it’s getting really difficult to balance everything.”

Ireland ‘more expensive than the Riviera’

Having worked in hospitality in the south of France, Doonan said she was surprised to find Ireland significantly more expensive to run a business.

“A lot of people thought I was mad coming home, thinking the French Riviera would be dearer. But it’s actually much more expensive here and much harder to operate.”

She added that energy costs are compounding the pressure, with heating oil and electricity prices climbing sharply.

“We have to heat the place, run equipment, keep the lights on. All of that has gone up massively. It’s not just one thing—it’s everything.”

Closure fears as pressure mounts

While determined to keep her café open, Doonan admitted that closure could become a reality if conditions do not improve.

“We’re doing everything we can—cutting costs, trying to increase sales—but at the end of the day, it has to be viable. If things keep going the way they are, it’s going to be much more difficult to stay in business.”

She said closing would be a last resort, but acknowledged that other small businesses have already been forced to shut their doors under similar pressures.

Backing farmers’ protest

Doonan also voiced strong support for farmers protesting across the country, calling for urgent action on fuel costs and carbon tax.

“I completely support them. We’re one of the most expensive countries in Europe for fuel. We rely on road transport for everything—deliveries, staff getting to work—and that affects every business.”

“It filters right down. It’s not just farmers or truck drivers—it’s all of us. I think they should stay where they are until the government does something.”

As the crisis continues, businesses like Fika33 Café are now watching closely—hoping for relief before the pressure becomes too much to bear.