Increased price and more usage of fertiliser saw the biggest growth in farm costs in 2025. \ Odhran Ducie
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The increase in cattle prices in 2025 was the main driver behind the €1.2bn growth in the operating surplus for Irish farmers last year, according to data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Prices paid for farm produce rose 12% during the year to €14bn, while input costs for farms grew by 2% to €7.9bn, the initial estimates from the CSO revealed.
2025 saw a 43% increase in the price of cattle. However, a 5% decrease in cattle volumes meant that output value increased by 28% to €4.2bn.
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The value of milk production increased by 10% to €4.5bn, substantially driven by rising output.
Cereal output value dropped by over €100m, driven by a 6% fall in prices.
On the costs side, the estimated overall increase in inputs of 2%, or €190m, was driven by both higher prices and increased use of fertilisers. Feed and energy costs were little changed between 2024 and 2025.
The CSO noted that the figures for 2025 are preliminary estimates and are subject to change when the complete set of data for the full year is published at the end of June 2026.
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The increase in cattle prices in 2025 was the main driver behind the €1.2bn growth in the operating surplus for Irish farmers last year, according to data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Prices paid for farm produce rose 12% during the year to €14bn, while input costs for farms grew by 2% to €7.9bn, the initial estimates from the CSO revealed.
2025 saw a 43% increase in the price of cattle. However, a 5% decrease in cattle volumes meant that output value increased by 28% to €4.2bn.
The value of milk production increased by 10% to €4.5bn, substantially driven by rising output.
Cereal output value dropped by over €100m, driven by a 6% fall in prices.
On the costs side, the estimated overall increase in inputs of 2%, or €190m, was driven by both higher prices and increased use of fertilisers. Feed and energy costs were little changed between 2024 and 2025.
The CSO noted that the figures for 2025 are preliminary estimates and are subject to change when the complete set of data for the full year is published at the end of June 2026.
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