Cost 8.8% less to farm in 2009, but you got 15.4% less for produce

PRODUCTION costs for Irish farmers were 8.8% lower in 2009, compared to 2008. But the prices they got for produce were 15.4% lower.

According to the Central Statistics Office, the most significant price falls year on year were 30.8% for milk, 28.9% for cereals, 10.5% for cattle, and 9.4% for pigs. Prices fell 16.2% for fertilisers, 13.5% for energy, 8.8% for feedstuffs, and 7.3% for seeds.