Figures from the Central Statistics Office reveal that the number of people employed in agriculture has dropped by 2,700 on this time last year. This comes off the back of 14.86% and 19.5% increases in the previous two years’ first quarters, when 30,000 jobs were created in the sector.

The outlook is still positive given the current position of Irish agriculture across the globe, helped by the opening of the Chinese and American markets at the start of the year. At current rates, the sector still has an extra 27,300 employees compared with the same time in 2012.

Employment increased in 10 out of the 14 economic sectors over the year and fell in four.

Construction saw the largest increase, with 19,500 (19.1%) more employees than the first quarter last year. The biggest drop in employment was 5.53% in the professional, scientific and technical activities sector.

Overall, employment across all sectors has seen a steady increase over the last four years and now stands at 1,929,500.

The agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector currently represents 5.59% of the total labour force – just shy of last year’s 5.85%.