Price rise of 13.5% for fuels and electricity hits farm profitability

WITH fuels and electricity costing farmers 13.5% more than they did a year ago, it’s no surprise that profitability is down.

According to the Central Statistics Office, the farm inputs used on a typical Irish farm cost 3.5% more in 2005 and 204. With sales for the average farm earning only 1.4% more, the “terms of trade” have deteriorated.

The CSO calculated that prices rose 7.8% for fertilisers, 1.9% for plant protection products and 1.0% for veterinary expenses, but feeding stuffs are 1.7% cheaper.