Potato output hit in July

The output of potatoes in July fell by 24.4% in July compared with the same month last year, figures from the Central Statistics Office reveal.

The negative figures for potatoes pulled down the overall output in July by 2.3%.

Comparing July 2004 unadjusted agricultural price indices with the corresponding July 2003 indices shows that cereals, pigs, cattle, poultry, vegetables, sheep and sugar beet were up 18.8%, 17.1%, 13.1%, 8.3%, 5.5%, 1.8% and 1.3% respectively, while potatoes and milk were down 24.4% and 0.1%.

Energy, feeding stuffs, plant protection products, veterinary expenses and fertilizers were up 12.5%, 6.1%, 2.1%, 0.7% and 0.4% respectively.

The seasonally-adjusted output price index increased by 0.2% in July 2004 compared with June 2004, while the seasonally-adjusted input price index remained unchanged.