Macra warns rising costs pushing horticultural sector's 'young growers to the brink'
Macra warns that without government intervention, Ireland's Horticultural sector will not be attractive to young growers.
Increasing costs within the horticultural sector risk making the sector unattractive and unviable for young growers, Macra na Feirme warns.
Following the latest Teagasc Horticulture Crop Input Prices report, which showed the cost of producing fruit and vegetables in Ireland has risen by almost 4% over the past year, Macra has raised serious concern for the sector’s longevity and viability for young growers.
Input costs across the horticulture sector rose by 3.9% between January 2025 and January 2026, with significant increases in fertiliser, labour, energy and transport costs. Fruit production costs went up by 7.5%, while vegetable production costs grew by 4.7%.
Macra said the figures highlight the immense pressures facing horticultural producers, particularly young farmers attempting to enter or expand within the sector. The organisation warned that the situation has serious implications not only for growers but for Ireland’s long-term food security and sustainability ambitions.
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They also highlighted the additional pressure caused by recent volatility in energy markets, particularly rising gas prices affecting protected crop producers.
Commenting on the increases, Macra president Josephine O’Neill said: “Our young growers have been grappling with rising input costs, especially with recent political upheaval having knock-on consequences on energy costs.
"These increases are pushing our young growers to the brink, threatening their future in the sector and undermining the attractiveness of the sector. Significant support is needed to ensure that our young growers can continue to produce such high-quality produce while being economically viable.”
Macra said young growers require targeted supports, long-term certainty and meaningful investment if the sector is to remain viable and attractive for the next generation.
Ms O’Neill continued: “While inflation, spiralling costs and wide-ranging factors outside of their control continue to threaten the viability of young growers, they are frequently forgotten in policy development and the delivery of targeted supports. Considering the outcomes of this report, especially the rising costs highlighted, this can no longer continue.
"Our Government must ensure that meaningful supports, specifically targeted to young growers, are developed and delivered to ensure that these challenges can be addressed.”
Macra is calling on the Government to introduce targeted measures to support horticultural producers, including investment supports for energy efficiency and automation, increased assistance for young entrants and stronger recognition of horticulture within national food and climate policy.
The organisation concluded that without urgent intervention, Ireland risks a further decline in domestic fruit and vegetable production capacity at a time when demand for locally produced food continues to grow.
