Farm machinery exports worth €500m
The Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) revealed the development at the national ploughing championships in Ballinabrackey, Co Meath, yesterday.
The association's president Simon Cross said farm machinery manufacturing continues to be an important part of the industry.
"We are now significant machinery exporters and are selling quality farm machines designed, built and tested in Ireland not just to Britain and Europe, but also to markets across the world," he said. Mr Cross said this time last year insurance costs were a big issue for the FTMTA.
"We are delighted that there has been some opening of the markets and that competition has emerged to ensure there are more competitive quotes for our members.
"While saying that, we are still the most expensive insurance market in Europe and farm machinery companies, like farmers, have to compete with their European neighbours in a cost sense. This remains an ongoing challenge for us," he said.
The farm machinery industry in Ireland employs close to 3,500 people, all in small to medium-sized enterprises, mostly with a rural background.
Mr Cross said the CAP reform should allow commercial Irish farmers to progress in business. A more progressive future for agriculture can depend on the support of the farm machinery industry.
This was an excellent farming year in Ireland with good weather, good yields and improved farm prices the ingredients for the farming industry to advance.
He said the FTMTA expects to see an increase in machinery investment by farmers to achieve their objectives of better efficiency and improved incomes.
Farming and the farm machinery industry had a difficult year in 2002, resulting in a 6.5% reduction in the level of machinery investment to date in 2003.
However, tractor sales have remained relatively stable, while there has been some level of adjustment in the pattern of the investment in other types of farm machinery, mainly silage and tillage machines, he said.
