Regional Accounts for Agriculture 2022

The South-West region (Cork and Kerry) generated 22% of the State’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices, the largest of all regions. It was the largest Milk producing region, generating 31% of Irish Milk in 2022. The region produced 14% of domestic Cereals, although this only represented 4% of the region’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices. It also had the lowest dependence on Livestock, with animals generating just 26% of its output. Its high concentration of intensive dairy farming contributed to the region spending more than any other region on Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs, accounting for 21% of the State’s total expenditure on each of these inputs.

The value of the South-West’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices increased by 32% (+€684m) to €2.8bn. Cattle generated 18% of the region’s output and their value also grew by 18% (+€78m) to €511m. Milk accounted for 55% of the region’s output and its value was up by 43% (+€467m) to €1.6bn. The value of its Crops rose by 33% (+€105m) to €421m, with Cereals accounting for €40m of this growth.

Intermediate Consumption costs increased by 38% (+€449m) to €1.6bn, the largest rate of increase of all regions. The higher cost of Fertilisers (+120%, +€141m) resulted in expenditure on Fertilisers rising to €259m, while the cost of Feeding Stuffs went up by 32% (+€117m) to €481m. Expenditure on Energy & Lubricants grew by 50% to €123m. When all these changes are combined with other costs and revenues, the region experienced one of the lower growth rates in Operating Surplus, which increased by 21% (+€194m) to €1.1bn in 2022 (See Tables 1.2, 1.3 and 6.1).

South-West Region Agricultural Output

Figure 6.1 shows the composition of Agricultural Output for the South-West Region (Cork and Kerry) in 2022.