'The small growers have gone': 250 fresh produce growers remain amid increasing challenges

Recent seasons have been challenging for the fruit and vegetables sector, with a number of contributing factors.

250 fresh produce growers remain in the country with businesses becoming "more specialised" and "heavily invested" in order to remain competitive "in an increasingly challenging environment", according to Bord Bia's director of horticulture Mike Neary. 

He has revealed in recent days that there are only around 60 growers left in field vegetable production in the country, and there are about 300 commercial potato producers.