Challenging Year for Irish Agriculture: Milk Prices Plunge, Cereal Output Shrinks
Source: The DairyNews
The latest data from the Central Statistics Office reveals a tough year for Irish agriculture in 2023, marked by a significant decline in both milk prices and volume, alongside a sharp contraction in cereal output.
Milk prices to farmers experienced a substantial 26% decrease in 2023 compared to the previous year, leading to a corresponding 4% drop in the volume of milk produced. This dual impact resulted in an overall 30% decline in the value of milk output.
Cereal output faced even more challenging conditions, plummeting by 26% due to adverse weather during the harvest season. Poor weather conditions not only led to crops spoiling in fields but also contributed to increased pressure on land availability for arable farming. The total planted area contracted by 6%, intensifying competition among dairy farmers for available land.
The combination of reduced prices and a contraction in the planted area led to a staggering 48% drop in overall cereal output value, amounting to €362 million.
Arable farmers felt the pinch with a 33% decrease in prices paid to them, exacerbating the challenges faced in the cereal sector.
On the livestock front, the value of all livestock increased marginally by 1% to €4.6 billion in 2023. Cattle prices saw a 3% rise, but a 4% decline in volumes resulted in an overall output value dip of 1% to €3 billion. Sheep output value remained stable, while pig prices increased by 19%. However, a decline in volume limited the overall sector value increase to 7%, totaling €667 million.
Poultry prices experienced a 5% rise, coupled with an increase in volume output, leading to an overall 8% rise in the sector's value, reaching €220 million.
Despite the challenging circumstances in certain segments of Irish agriculture, shifts in livestock values highlight some resilience and positive trends within the sector.
Cereal output faced even more challenging conditions, plummeting by 26% due to adverse weather during the harvest season. Poor weather conditions not only led to crops spoiling in fields but also contributed to increased pressure on land availability for arable farming. The total planted area contracted by 6%, intensifying competition among dairy farmers for available land.
The combination of reduced prices and a contraction in the planted area led to a staggering 48% drop in overall cereal output value, amounting to €362 million.
Arable farmers felt the pinch with a 33% decrease in prices paid to them, exacerbating the challenges faced in the cereal sector.
On the livestock front, the value of all livestock increased marginally by 1% to €4.6 billion in 2023. Cattle prices saw a 3% rise, but a 4% decline in volumes resulted in an overall output value dip of 1% to €3 billion. Sheep output value remained stable, while pig prices increased by 19%. However, a decline in volume limited the overall sector value increase to 7%, totaling €667 million.
Poultry prices experienced a 5% rise, coupled with an increase in volume output, leading to an overall 8% rise in the sector's value, reaching €220 million.
Despite the challenging circumstances in certain segments of Irish agriculture, shifts in livestock values highlight some resilience and positive trends within the sector.
