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CSO statistical release, , 11am

Agricultural Price Indices Preliminary Estimates

2020

OutputInput Terms of Trade
Base year 2015=100
2019103.3105.098.3
2020103.4101.6101.8
% change0.1%-3.3%3.6%

Agricultural input price index down 3.3% in 2020

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Preliminary estimates of the agricultural price indices for 2020 show a 3.3% decrease in input prices from 2019 levels while output prices are estimated to increase by 0.1%. See Tables 1, 2 and graph.

The projected decrease in the input price index of 3.3% is due mainly to a decrease in fertilisers (-10.5%) and energy (-8.1%). See Table 2.

The projected increase in the output price index of 0.1% is due mainly to increases in sheep (9.1%) and cattle (5%). See Table 1.

Table 1 Agricultural Output Price Index 2020 - Preliminary estimates (excl VAT)
Category   Base Year 2015 = 100
2015201620172018201920202020/2019
Agricultural Output Price Index100.095.1106.5104.4103.3103.40.1%
       
Animals100.095.497.895.193.798.24.9%
Cattle100.093.094.793.488.192.55.0%
Sheep100.099.999.7105.199.0108.19.1%
Pigs100.0102.6110.496.5114.3119.14.2%
Poultry100.099.599.299.5100.299.9-0.3%
Milk100.091.0121.6114.5109.2109.1-0.1%
        
Crop Output100.0106.1104.1119.6131.7112.6-14.5%
Cereals (including seeds)100.0101.3101.9123.9133.1109.0-18.1%
Potatoes (including seeds)100.0128.5117.2140.4185.6137.7-25.8%
    Fruit and Vegetables100.0101.5100.9106.9108.3105.9-2.3%
Agricultural Input Price Indices - Preliminary estimates Figure 3 (XLS 46KB)
Percentage Change
Feeding stuffs -2.4
Energy -8.1
Fertilisers -10.5
Table 2 Agricultural Input Price Index 2020 - Preliminary estimates (excl VAT)
Category 
2015201620172018201920202020/2019
Agricultural Input Price Index100.097.998.2102.7105.0101.6-3.3%
        
Feeding Stuffs100.0100.0100.6107.2110.4107.8-2.4%
Fertilisers100.086.281.586.490.981.3-10.5%
Seeds100.098.598.598.2106.8102.0-4.4%
Energy100.091.997.8106.5106.597.9-8.1%
Plant Protection Products100.0102.3103.1103.9103.8104.10.2%
Veterinary Expenses100.0101.9102.1105.3107.5109.01.4%

Background Notes

Introduction

This release presents preliminary estimates of agricultural price indices. The indices monitor trends in prices paid to farmers for their produce and in prices paid by farmers for purchases of goods and services. An EU harmonised methodology is used to compile these price indices.

The estimates are also sent to Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union, who provide the Directorate-General for Agriculture in Brussels with forecasts of the annual EU agricultural price indices for the current year.

Methodology

The preliminary annual indices are compiled by using the published monthly indices from January to August, and forecast estimates for September to December. In line with EU recommendations, the annual input sub-indices are calculated as simple arithmetic averages of the monthly indices. The annual output sub-indices are calculated as the weighted averages of the monthly indices. The weights used to combine the changes in prices of the individual commodities are based on the annual value of sales off farms and the expenditure by farmers on input purchases for the base year for the output and input indices respectively. The Laspeyres index formula, involving the use of fixed base year weights, has been used in the compilation of the overall index numbers.

The agricultural terms of trade index is the output price index expressed as a percentage of the input price index.

Data Sources

The indices are compiled from a wide variety of sources, including direct CSO surveys and administrative data from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

References

Agricultural Price Indices, monthly CSO release.

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