The spring meeting of the Horticulture Industry Forum took place this week.

At the meeting, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Healy-Rae heard from sector representatives on input cost challenges facing growers, which have been "significantly exacerbated by events in the Middle East".

Minister Healy-Rae acknowledged the impact on growers, saying: “It is important we, in my department and with my colleagues across government, engage with the sectors of our economy that are most impacted by rising costs.

"We continue to hope the conflict in the Middle East can be brought to an end soon.

"The measures introduced by government this week, including reducing excise on petrol and diesel and expanding the diesel rebate scheme, will help businesses and households to navigate this period of volatility.

"In the longer term, the investments in renewable energy creation and energy efficiency, will develop the country’s energy reliance to protect Irish energy consumers, like our growers and those working in the horticulture sector.” 

Input prices

Michael Gaffney, acting head of Teagasc's horticulture development department, provided the meeting with a preview of the Horticultural Crop Input Prices Report for 2026.

Similar to previous years, labour continues to represent over 42% of the sector’s input costs and poses a significant threat to the viability of horticultural enterprises.

While the horticulture sector is impacted by rising energy costs, some sub-sectors are more impacted than others, for instance high wire crops (e.g. protected salad crops, heated soft fruit) and other significant energy users. 

In respect of labour availability and the requirement for non-EU labour by the sector, Minister Healy-Rae welcomed the review of the Seasonal Employment Permit Scheme by the Department of Enterprise.

He said he hoped that it would be "concluded as soon as possible".

Consumer prices

The forum also heard that consumer price increases for the period 2020 to 2025 "lagged significantly behind the compound input price increases" for the same period.

Minister Healy-Rae said this data "demonstrates the need for a sustainable market price for locally grown, in-season, high-quality Irish fruit and vegetables to underpin the viability of the sector and food security".

At the forum meeting, the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) presented an update on engagements with retailers with a view to agreeing a retail charter for the sector in the near future.  

Co-chair of the Horticulture Industry Forum, Orla McManus, called for all growers to complete the "much simplified" 2025 Horticulture Census by the deadline of March 31. 

Minister Healy-Rae thanked Bord Bia, Teagasc, the IFA and his department "for their work in driving forward the implementation of the National Strategy for Horticulture".

He also called for "concerted action and cross-departmental collaboration to further progress a number of issues including employment permits, peat and commercial rates".