Irish Farmers Supply Protein for 30m Despite Income Slump

Teagasc presented the figures at the Interparliamentary Conference on Securing the Future of Farming. Professor Frank O’Mara, the organisation’s director, said Irish agriculture contributes to food and nutritional security in Ireland, the European Union and international markets.

The estimate covers dairy, tillage, cattle and sheep enterprises and is based on National Farm Survey data. It measures net edible protein available for human consumption after deducting human-consumable protein used to feed animals.

Teagasc’s land-use calculations show that commercial dairy farms produce enough net protein per hectare to meet the annual requirements of 15.5 people. The corresponding figures are 13.6 people per hectare for tillage, 3.8 for suckler-beef farms and 2.8 for sheep enterprises.

The nutritional contribution is being reported alongside weaker farm finances. After a strong operating year in 2025, average Irish dairy-farm income is forecast to decline by close to 50% in 2026. Teagasc attributed the projected reduction in its presentation to lower benchmark milk prices and persistently high input costs.

Direct payments under the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy represented about 40% of Family Farm Income across the wider farming sector in the previous year. During earlier downturns, such payments accounted for between 80% and 90% of total family-farm earnings. The presentation also referred to pressure on CAP support from international trade discussions and environmental-compliance requirements.

Ireland is a net exporter of milk and red-meat solids and has high levels of domestic self-sufficiency in those categories. Its reliance on imports is higher for horticultural staples: self-sufficiency for products such as tomatoes and onions is below 30%. Teagasc data also show that nine or ten growers supply 90% of carrots, while three growers account for most onion production.