This is a subscriber-only article
Over the past 12 months, the cost of farm inputs has risen by 5.2% while farm outputs have declined by 2.5%.
According to the latest figures from the CSO, feed stuffs and fertilisers have seen the largest price rise, up by 10.1% and 9.1%, respectively.
The rise in fertiliser price has come for both straight and compound fertilisers. On the feed side, compound feeds saw the biggest rise, up by 15.3%. Pig feed (12%) and calf feed (11.5%) saw the next largest rises.
Outputs
In the meantime, while overall outputs have declined by just 2.5%, individual sectors have seen much steeper declines.
Prices for milk and cattle have decreased by 10.3% and 7.5%, respectively, over the past year.
Calf prices saw a massive drop of 37.5% while all other cattle declined by 7.5%.
Feed stuffs and fertilisers have seen the largest price rise – up by 10.1% and 9.1% – respectively
Sheep and poultry experienced moderate rises of between 1% and 2%. Pigs saw a marginal drop of 1.6%.
Crop prices had a strong 12 months up by 37.7%. The negative effect drought conditions had on the 2018 potato crop are reflected in prices, which are up 123%. Cereals also posted a large increase of 43%.
SHARING OPTIONS: