Clare farmers continue to grow production, new figures show

CLARE, Limerick, and Tipperary was the largest livestock and second largest milk and poultry producing region in 2022, supplying 20% of Ireland’s cattle, 21% of its milk and 10% of its poultry.

Livestock generated 35% of the region’s agricultural output at basic prices with cattle accounting for 27% of output, and milk generating a further 47%.

While crops accounted for 13% of the region’s output at basic prices, as the third smallest cereal producing region in the country, cereals accounted for just 3% of output.

The value of the region’s agricultural output at basic prices increased by 29% (+€496m) to €2.2bn.

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Cattle values were up by 18% to €594m. Pig production, which generated 4% of the value of the region’s agricultural output, grew by 9% to €86m.

The value of the region’s milk production rose by 47% to €1bn, while the value of its crops was up 16% to €282m. Cereals accounted for most of this growth, increasing in value by 77% to €62m.

The region’s intermediate consumption costs grew by 26% to €1.3bn. The cost of feeding stuffs in the region rose by 31% to €423m, while the cost of fertilisers increased by 96% (+€93m) to €190m.

Expenditure on energy and lubricants was up by 27% to €106m. The region’s operating surplus grew by 39% to €874m, the second highest growth rate of all regions in 2022.