Regional Accounts for Agriculture 2023

The Midland region (Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath) is the second smallest agricultural producing region, generating just 10% of the State’s output. It has the second highest dependency on cattle and pigs for its output, with cattle generating a third of its Agricultural Output at Basic Prices and pigs a further 10%. Just 19% of the value of its output comes from crops, with cereals generating 3%. Milk was the source of a further 27% of this value.

Agricultural Output at Basic Prices fell by 11% (-€141m) to €1.2bn. Livestock, which generated 47% of the region’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices, dropped by 1% (-€5m) to €559m. Pigs were the only category of livestock that saw any growth, with their value up 2% (+€2m) to €118m. The value of cattle decreased by 1% (-€3m) to €388m while sheep fell 13% (-€3m) to €20m. Milk contracted by 30% (-€137m) to €323m. The value of crops remained relatively static despite a 53% (-€40m) drop in cereal values. Potato values grew by 34% (+€1m) to €4m while fresh vegetables were up 5% (+€1m) to €15m.

Intermediate Consumption costs decreased by 4% (-€35m) to €819m. Expenditure on fertilisers was down 41% (-€56m) to €79m and feeding stuffs fell by 4% (-€9m) to €235m. Energy & Lubricants declined by 7% (-€5m) to €71m and the cost of Other Goods & Services dropped 7% (-€6m) to €71m. Veterinary expenses were up 10% (+€4m) to €44m and seeds increased by €3m to €12m. The contribution of Other Subsidies less Taxes on Production to income contracted 17% (-€30m) to €148m. The region’s Operating Surplus declined by 39% (-€128m) to €202m, and when the costs of interest and land rental are accounted for, Entrepreneurial Income fell by 54% (-€146m) to €123m (See Table 1.2).

Midland Region Agricultural Output

Figure 8.1 shows the composition of Agricultural Output for the Midland Region (Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath) in 2023.