The opening of the Fuel Support Scheme for Specialist Horticulture has been announced today (Friday, June 5).

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon and Minister of State with responsibility for horticulture, Niall Collins have announced the scheme, which forms part of the €100 million allocated by government for fuel income supports.

Up to €2 million is being provided for this horticulture scheme.

Pressure on the sector

Minister Heydon said specialist horticulture growers have seen "substantial increases in their fuel costs" over the past number of months.

He said this is "placing further pressure on a sector that has already endured significant increases in input costs over recent years".

"The support provided under this scheme will help to mitigate against the additional fuel costs faced by growers," he said.

Minister Niall Collins added: “We recognise the exceptional pressure that has been placed on specialist horticulture growers because of the sudden increase in the cost of fuel.

"The National Horticulture Strategy requires a strong and solid foundation from which to grow the industry, and this financial support package is critical in ensuring the ongoing economic viability of specialist horticulture growers.

"Growers of amenity plants and field crops such as vegetables, salad crops, field and top fruit were eligible for support under the Fuel Income Support Scheme for farmers and contractors."

Fuel support for horticulture

The Fuel Support Scheme for Specialist Horticulture will provide a once-off payment to specialist horticulture growers to help mitigate the continued increases in fuel costs. 

It is open to commercial horticulture growers producing tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms, strawberries, chillies, herbs and hydroponically-grown lettuce in an eligible structure using an eligible fuel.

Eligibility for the scheme will be based on recorded fuel usage for the primary production of specialist horticulture crops last year.

The scheme will remain open for online applications until midnight on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

As this scheme is being implemented under the Temporary Crisis Framework set up by the EU Commission and all applicable state aid rules, payments will only be made to applicants once state aid approval has been received by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.