Cuffe reveals horticultural industry employs 10,000 and is worth €300m

OUTPUT in the horticultural industry, which employs some 10,000 workers, is now valued at more than €300 million annually and retail sales are in the order of €650m.

Minister of State Ciarán Cuffe revealed the figures when he announced a €3.8m grant aid package for the sector under the National Development Plan. Grants to 107 horticultural producers for capital investments in new facilities are provided for in the package. The grant aid will help to fund on-farm investments of about €9.6m. It covers all areas of the horticultural production sector. These include mushrooms, protected crops, nursery crops, field vegetables, soft fruits-apples and bee-keeping and other categories.

Mr Cuffe said everyone should all be encouraged by the level of confidence shown by horticultural producers in their own businesses and demonstrated by the number of very worthwhile projects seeking assistance under the grant aid scheme. “The importance of having locally produced fruit and vegetables was brought home to us when the cloud of volcanic ash prevented air travel and interrupted trade in highly perishable products that are normally air freighted from around the world.”

Mr Cuffe said locally grown produce being readily available in the shops is a key indicator for food security in the future.

“The investment in structures and equipment will enable producers to improve in the areas of production practices, energy conservation and environmental control. The investments will improve productivity and improve working conditions for staff,” he said.

Mr Cuffe reminded shoppers that fresh local food in season tastes good and with less transportation and storage costs is better for the environment.

“We should support local producers and by doing so we are making an investment in our own community,” he said.