Regional Accounts for Agriculture 2022

The South-East region (Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, and Wexford) was the second largest producer of Crops in 2022, accounting for 20% of domestic crop production. Crops generated 24% of the value of the region’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices. The region produced 30% of the State’s Cereals and 20% of its Potatoes. It was also the third largest Milk producing region in the country, accounting for 19% of Milk output and generated 14% of the State’s Livestock. It also created 25% of the value of Irish Horses, making it the second largest horse producing region in the State.

The value of the South-East’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices increased by 29% (+€494m) to €2.2bn. Livestock were responsible for generating 29% of this output. The value of Cattle, which accounted for 19% of the region’s output, was up 19% (+€64m) to €403m while the value of Pig production grew by 12% (+€10m) to €97m. Horse output increased by 5% (+€4m) to €79m. Milk production, which generated 43% of the region’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices, grew by 50% (+€310m) to €935m. Crop production was up 22% (+€96m) to €532m. Cereals, accounting for €82m of this growth, increased in value by 65% to €206m. With the volume of potato production down, despite higher prices (+7%), the value of the region’s Potato production fell by 8% (-€3m) to €33m.

The region’s Intermediate Consumption costs rose by 30% (+€290m) to €1.2bn. The cost of Feeding Stuffs increased by 32% (+€82m) to €334m. Expenditure on Fertilisers grew by 126% (+€136m) to €244m, while Energy & Lubricants costs were up by 32% (+€21m) to €88m. The region’s Operating Surplus increased by 36% (+€207m) to €783m in 2022 (See Tables 1.2, 1.3 and 5.1).

South-East Region Agricultural Output

Figure 5.1 shows the composition of Agricultural Output for the South-East Region (Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford) in 2022.