The average price of agricultural output in Ireland rose in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, in contrast with most of the EU.

Prices increased in 12 EU countries, most notably in Ireland (+6.8%), Slovenia (+5.6%) and Malta (+4.2%).

However, in the same period, the average price of agricultural output decreased in 15 EU countries, with the sharpest rates of decline in Belgium (-12.9%), Lithuania (-8.2%) and Germany (-6.0%).

This information comes from data on agricultural price indices published by Eurostat today (March 12).

Taking the EU as a whole, average farm gate prices decreased by 1.9% in Q4 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.

This overall EU decline followed on from price increases in the previous three quarters of 2025. 

Goods and services

By contrast, the average price of goods and services currently consumed in agriculture (inputs not related to investment, such as energy, fertilisers or feeding stuffs) was unchanged compared with the fourth quarter of 2024.

The average price of goods and services remained relatively stable throughout 2025. 

In terms of the average price of inputs not related to investment, there were declines in 11 EU countries, with the sharpest rates being in Cyprus (-2.6%), Belgium (-2.1%) and Sweden (-2.0%).

In the other EU countries, there were increases, the sharpest rates being in Lithuania (+4.2%), Ireland (+3.3%) and Romania (+2.5%).

At the EU level, milk and cereal prices decreased by 4.1% and by 8.9% respectively in the last quarter of 2025 compared with the same quarter of 2024. 

Among the goods and services consumed in agriculture, the prices of fertilisers and soil improvers in the EU rose by 7.9% in the same period, while feeding stuffs and energy declined by 2.7% and by 1.7% respectively.

The cost of fertilisers is expected to continue to rise, as a result of the Middle East conflict.