Primary agriculture sector over €3 billion in debt - minister
Central Bank statistics show €3.061 billion in outstanding debt for the primary agriculture sector, compared with €3.019 billion at the end of 2021.
These figures were outlined by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon in response to a parliamentary question on access to finance for the sector.
Independent Deputy Carol Nolan asked about the current levels of credit advanced to primary agriculture in 2025, compared to the €686 million reported in 2021.
She also enquired about the measures taken to ensure continued access to working capital for farmers.
Minister Heydon said: “According to the latest Central Bank statistics, €692 million was advanced to primary agriculture in the 12 months ending September 2025.
"Those statistics also show €3.061 billion in outstanding debt for the sector, compared with €3.019 billion at the end of 2021.”
‘Crucial business need’
“Access to finance is a crucial business need,” Minister Heydon said.
He noted that as well as liaising with the main banks on issues relating to the agri-food sector, "my department works closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Finance on this issue".
“This partnership has yielded important supports for businesses in collaboration with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and the European Investment Bank Group (EIB), to ensure access to finance to help deal with the challenges brought about by events such as Brexit, COVID-19, and the impact of the war in Ukraine," he added.
“I will continue to work to ensure that farmers, fishers, foresters, and food businesses have the appropriate access to finance, whether that be through private provision or with the help of state-backed schemes.”
In a statement, Deputy Nolan responded: “Access to affordable working capital is not merely a ‘crucial business need’; it is the lifeblood of Irish family farms.
"Farmers are facing unprecedented volatility, as Mercosur recently demonstrated, with many struggling to cover day-to-day operational costs, invest in sustainability measures, or plan for succession."
“The modest uptick in new lending does little to address the reality that many viable farms are being squeezed by tight margins, delayed payments, and reluctance from lenders to extend credit on more favourable terms.
"The level of debt now exceeding €3 billion is a stark reminder of just how precarious farming and farming incomes remain.," she added.
