Net subsidies accounted for 66.8% of agricultural income at state level last year, the latest CSO figures show.

The Regional Accounts for Agriculture show net subsidies at state level are down on 2012's figure of 73.4%.

Net subsidies (operating surplus) accounted for 108.8% of agricultural income in the Border, Midland and Western region, up 2% on 2012. However, it accounted for only 51% in the Southern and Eastern region, which is down on 2012's figure for the region of 58.6%.

Operating surplus at state level for 2013 was €2,254m, while it was €1,638.5m for the Southern and Eastern region and €615.7m for the Border, Midland and Western region.

A CSO analysis of agriculture in the regions in 2013 show that over 80% of milk and national cereal outputs came from the Southern and Eastern region. The same region produced 62% of national cattle output.

Just over half of national sheep output came from the Border, Midland and Western region, which also produced 47% of national pig output.