Regional Accounts for Agriculture 2023

The Border region (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, and Sligo) has the highest dependency on pigs and poultry, producing a quarter of Irish pigs and sheep and 71% of Irish poultry. It also has the second lowest dependency on milk, which accounted for just 18% of the region’s agricultural output.

With a relatively high concentration of the better performing outputs, namely poultry and pigs, and a low concentration of the poorest performing outputs, namely dairy and cereals, the region experienced the smallest rate of decline in its Agricultural Output at Basic Prices, which fell by 6% to €1.4bn. Livestock grew by 2% (+€16m) to €778m. The value of poultry increased by 8% (+€12m) to €157m, pigs rose by 4% (+€7m) to €164m, cattle were up 1% (+€3m) to €368m, while sheep fell by 7% (-€6m) to €86m. The value of milk was down €105m (-29%) to €252m and crops fell by 8% (-€18m) to €226m.

Intermediate Consumption costs contracted by 4% (-€42m) to €1.0bn. With a high concentration of intensive pig and poultry production, the region was the largest consumer of feeding stuffs, accounting for 21% of the national total. While at a national level, expenditure on feeding stuffs fell by 1%, in the Border region it grew by €12m (+3%) to €469m due to an 8% increase in the price of poultry feeds. Fertiliser costs decreased by €43m (-39%) to €68m, while the cost of Maintenance & Repairs rose by €10m (+14%) to €78m. The value of Other Subsidies less Taxes on Production to the region dropped by 10% (-€29m) to €274m, the second lowest regional rate of decline. The Border also had the second lowest drop in agricultural income. Its Operating Surplus fell by 17% to €409m and when net interest and land rental costs are accounted for, its Entrepreneurial Income decreased by 22% to €341m (See Table 1.2).

Border Region Agricultural Output

Figure 2.1 shows the composition of Agricultural Output for the Border Region (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, and Sligo) in 2023.