Farming: harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few

The eighth successive year of growth in Irish agri-food exports was confirmed yesterday, to reach a record level of €13.5 billion in 2017, copper-fastens the sector’s standing as Ireland’s largest indigenous productive sector, and one making an important contribution to Ireland’s economic recovery, writes Stephen Cadogan.

The eighth successive year of growth in Irish agri-food exports was confirmed yesterday, to reach a record level of €13.5 billion in 2017, copper-fastens the sector’s standing as Ireland’s largest indigenous productive sector, and one making an important contribution to Ireland’s economic recovery, writes Stephen Cadogan. 

But are enough of the financial returns coming back to the farmers and fishermen who provide the raw material for these exports, and for employment of more than 300,000 in food and drink?