Regional Accounts for Agriculture 2023

The Mid-West (Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary) is the second largest milk producing region, generating 21% of Irish milk. Some 40% of the region’s output came from livestock, with cattle accounting for 30% of output. The region is the second largest producer of poultry in the country, although this still only represents 10% of Irish poultry production and 1% of the region’s output. Crops generated 16% of the region’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices, with cereals accounting for just 1% of output. With its high dependency on milk for income, the region was severely impacted by the fall in milk prices.

The region’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices decreased by 12% (-€266m) to €1.9bn. Cattle were down €2m to €592m and pigs, which generated 4% of the region’s agricultural output, fell by 1% (-€1m) to €85m. Sheep contracted 13% (-€2m) to €13m and poultry production grew by 8% (+€2m) to €21m. The region’s milk decreased by 30% (-€307m) to €733m while its crops were up 11% (+€32m) to €317m. Cereal production was down 56% (-€36m) to €28m.

Intermediate Consumption costs grew by 4% (+€55m) to €1.4bn. Expenditure on fertilisers decreased by 27% (-€53m) to €139m while the cost of feeding stuffs contracted by 2% (-€9m) to €406m. The cost of Other Goods & Services increased by 14% (+€15m) to €121m, Energy & Lubricant costs grew by 12% (+€12m) to €118m, while expenditure on contract work also rose by 12% (+€13m) to €122m. The value of Other Subsidies less Taxes on Production decreased by 18% (-€55m) to €246m. With its high dependency on milk, the region experienced the second largest fall in income. Its Operating Surplus contracted by 48% (-€424m) to €452m while its Entrepreneurial Income fell 60% (-€463m) to €303m (See Table 1.2).

Mid-West Region Agricultural Output

Figure 4.1 shows the composition of Agricultural Output for the Mid-West Region (Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary) in 2023.