Significant Decline in Milk and Crop Prices as Reported by CSO
According to the latest report from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), milk and crop prices have experienced a substantial decline of over 11% in the past year leading up to September 2025. This reduction is part of a broader trend identified in the Agricultural Output Price Index.
Specifically, the monthly output price for milk decreased by 5.6% in September, continuing a downward trajectory that began in March 2025. During this period, the index for milk prices saw a series of monthly declines: 3.6% in March, 0.9% in April, 0.8% in May, 0.7% in June, 1.3% in July, and 3.1% in August.
Additionally, the report highlights that Lakeland Dairies and Tirlán decreased their milk prices by 4 cents per litre in October, following similar price reductions by Tirlán and Dairygold in September. These changes emphasize the ongoing pressures faced by dairy farmers.
Crops also saw substantial price drops, with potatoes experiencing the largest decline at 27.9% over the year, followed by cereals at 8.7%, and industrial and forage crops at 6.2%. Vegetables were the only category to see a price increase, albeit modest, at 0.6%.
The report also notes that while cattle prices rose by 47.3% compared to the previous year, they fell by 3.7% from August to September 2025. Pigs and sheep showed divergent trends, with pigs experiencing an 11.9% annual price drop, whereas sheep prices increased by 6.4%.
Input costs saw mixed changes, with straight fertilisers surging 20.1% in price annually, while feed prices varied within modest ranges. Veterinary expenses increased by 4.7%, indicating additional cost pressures on the sector.
