The South-West region (Cork and Kerry) is the largest agricultural region in the country, generating 21% of the State’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices. It is the largest milk producer, accounting for 31% of Irish milk, 10% more than any other region. Milk generated 46% of the region’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices. It is also the second largest producer of cattle and pigs, producing 17% of Irish cattle and 20% of Irish pigs. While it is the third largest cereal producing region, they still only accounted for 2% of the region’s output.
The value of the South-West’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices decreased by 18% (-€499m) to €2.3bn with milk accounting for €469m of this reduction. The value of its livestock rose by €6m to €742m due to the impact of a 13% (+€16m) rise in pigs. This increase helped to offset the impact of a 1% (-€7m) fall in cattle and a 7% (-€4m) contraction in sheep values. Milk was down 30% to €1.1bn, while crop output decreased by 13% (-€54m) to €370m. Cereals, which fell by 49%, were responsible for €50m of this decline. The value of potatoes to the region increased by 16% (+€3m) to €19m.
Intermediate Consumption costs fell by 2% (-€37m) to €1.6bn. The cost of fertilisers contracted by 33% (-€86m) to €175m while feeding stuffs were down 3% (-€12m) to €462m. Expenditure on Other Goods & Services grew by 24% (+€33m) to €173m, contract work rose by 15% (+€17m) to €130m, Energy & Lubricants were up 13% (+€16m) to €139m, and veterinary expenses increased by 17% (+€13m) to €94m. Other Subsidies less Taxes on Production fell by 19% (-€66m) to €286m. The region’s Operating Surplus was down 46% (-€526m) to €624m and its Entrepreneurial Income dropped by 55% (-€546m) to €456m (See Table 1.2).
| Table 6.1: Regional Agricultural Accounts at NUTS 3 level for South-West Region, 2020-2023 | |||||||||
| Description | € million | Change 2023/2022 | % Share of State Total | ||||||
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Value (€m) | Value (%) | 2023 | |||
| Livestock | 584 | 646 | 736 | 742 | 6 | 1 | 16 | ||
| Livestock Products | 860 | 1,092 | 1,559 | 1,092 | -467 | -30 | 30 | ||
| Crops | 303 | 317 | 424 | 370 | -54 | -13 | 15 | ||
| Goods Output at Producer Prices | 1,746 | 2,055 | 2,719 | 2,204 | -516 | -19 | 21 | ||
| Agricultural Output at Basic Prices | 1,848 | 2,150 | 2,832 | 2,334 | -499 | -18 | 21 | ||
| Intermediate Consumption | 1,071 | 1,206 | 1,633 | 1,595 | -37 | -2 | 21 | ||
| Gross Value Added at Basic Prices | 777 | 945 | 1,200 | 739 | -461 | -38 | 21 | ||
| Net Subsidies | 313 | 307 | 352 | 286 | -66 | -19 | 17 | ||
| Operating Surplus | 744 | 933 | 1,150 | 624 | -526 | -46 | 21 | ||
| Entrepreneurial Income | 644 | 807 | 1,002 | 456 | -546 | -55 | 21 | ||
Figure 6.1 shows the composition of Agricultural Output for the South-West Region (Cork and Kerry) in 2023.
| X-axis label | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Cattle | 21.6 |
| Sheep | 2.1 |
| Pigs | 5.7 |
| Milk | 46.4 |
| Forage plants | 10.9 |
| All other crops | 5 |
| Other | 8.4 |
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