Many of Tirlán’s gluten-free oats growers were disappointed to be informed last week that they no longer have a contract for 2026.

Tirlán told the Irish Farmers Journal that it will be reducing the intake of gluten-free oats for the 2026 harvest.

The co-op said this is due to strong Irish oat yields over recent years, combined with increased availability of oats in key global markets.

However, it should be noted that the co-op has made significant investments in gluten-free oats and is working hard to secure new markets and aims to increase tonnage again to hopefully make the 2026 reduction in acreage a temporary move.

Tirlán commented that it moved to advise growers of the losses of contract “at the earliest possible opportunity and will support and advise with alternative options for this slot in the rotation”.

The co-op went on to say: “To help manage logistics efficiently, Tirlán will be focusing next season’s contracted acreage in areas located closer to the Harris Grain intake site in Athy, Co Kildare. 

"The Tirlán team is working through the allocation of available acreage of gluten-free oats for the next planting season.”