Rising costs pushing young growers to the brink - Macra
Macra has warned that soaring costs in the horticulture sector are threatening the future of Irish fruit and vegetable production.
Teagasc's Horticulture Crop Input Prices 2026 report found that the cost of producing horticultural crops in Ireland rose on average by 3.9% between January 2025 and January 2026.
The report also found significant longer‑term inflation since 2020, with fresh volatility in energy, packaging, fertiliser and transportation costs since March 2026.
Macra said that continued cost inflation risks making the horticulture sector "increasingly unattractive and unviable for young growers".
Horticulture
The Teagasc report shows significant increases in fertiliser, labour, energy and transport costs.
Fruit production costs increased by 7.5%, while vegetable production rose by 4.7%.
Macra said the figures highlight the immense pressures facing horticultural producers, particularly young farmers attempting to enter or expand within the sector.
"Our young growers have been grappling with rising input costs, especially with recent political upheaval having knock-on consequences on energy costs," Josephine O’Neill, Macra president, said.
"These increases are pushing our young growers to the brink, threatening their future in the sector and undermining the attractiveness of the sector.
"Significant support is needed to ensure that our young growers can continue to produce such high-quality produce while being economically viable," she added.
The Macra president called for targeted measures to support horticultural producers, including investment supports for energy efficiency and automation, increased assistance for young entrants and stronger recognition of horticulture within national food and climate policy.
"While inflation, spiralling costs and wide-ranging factors outside of their control continue to threaten the viability of young growers, they are frequently forgotten in policy development and the delivery of targeted supports.
"Considering the outcomes of this report, especially the rising costs highlighted, this can no longer continue.
"Our government must ensure that meaningful supports, specifically targeted to young growers, are developed and delivered to ensure that these challenges can be addressed," O'Neill said.
