CSO revises 2015 farm incomes upwards
In its second preliminary estimate of output, input and income in agriculture, the Central Statistics Office says overall farmers’ incomes in 2014 is 5.6% up, compared to 2013.
In their first estimate, in early December, the CSO had concluded incomes fell 1%, compared to 2013.
However, with new annual figures to work on, a picture emerges of farm output falling 2.6%, but farmers spending 5.2% less on farm inputs.
This resulted in “operating surplus”, or income, increasing 5.6% (which follows a 1.1% increase in 2013).
The statistics indicate farmers spent 7.9% less on fertilisers and 17.6% less on commercial feeding-stuffs last year, compared to 3013.
Final estimates of the 2014 output, input and income in agriculture will be published in June 2015.
