There are currently 16 robots in use in the Irish mushroom sector for harvesting.

The move towards automated or semi-automated methods of harvesting in the mushroom sector and wider horticulture sector is a response to challenges in the sector in sourcing and affording labour.

The move towards automation and the use of robots was highlighted in a report from Teagasc this week titled Achievements 2025, which outlined the technical performance of the Irish agri-food sector in 2025.

Commenting on the horticulture sector, Teagasc director Prof. Frank O'Mara said: "The big challenge for the horticulture sector really is labour, both availability and price, and labour is now making up over 40% of total costs in the horticulture sector.

The mushroom sector is the biggest part of Ireland's horticulture industry, with that sector producing €150 million worth of mushrooms each year.

Prof. O'Mara said: "Harvesting by hand makes up over a third of production costs in mushrooms, so we are seeing some of our mushroom producers now deploying robots or semi-automated solutions."

Automation

The Teagasc director noted that there are currently 16 robots deployed in the Irish mushroom sector.

The interest in automation can also be seen in the field vegetable sector, Prof. O'Mara noted.

"On the field vegetable side, again, there can be a lot of labour in vegetable production, so our estimates are about 650ha of field vegetables were planted by some kind of automated establishment system," he said.

There is also interest in the horticulture sector on robotic weeders, Prof. O'Mara noted.

The Teagasc director said the other main area where the horticulture sector is "making progress" is in replacing peat.

He added that there are currently three mushroom farms, which together makes up 7% of the national mushroom production, that are using peat-free casing, which Prof. O'Mara said is "the first real sign of on-the-ground progress with that".