The cost of building materials for farm sheds continues to soar and shows no sign of abating.

Raw steel has increased from €1,000/t to €2,000/t. Cladding prices are up 100% on February last year and timber prices are up by 50%.

The price rises will likely see farm building work stall. One shed builder said that “by the time a farmer is done paying for fertiliser and meal, the sheds are on the back foot”.

Another added that farm building work is back by almost 50% on last year.

Irish Farmers Journal analysis shows that the cost of building a typical three-bay slatted shed has soared by 52% compared with 2018.

In 2018, the cost of building such a shed was €38,169.13, excluding VAT. Today, that price for an identical shed has spiralled to €58,210.75.

Read more in Farm Buildings here.