Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is why new markets and continuing to grow our market share in existing markets is so important. Our job in the Department of agriculture is to meet all of the regulatory requirements of other countries so that we can can gain market access and trade there.

It is then up to the Irish food processors and food companies to see that the price they are getting for Irish farmers’ produce is the best they can get. The more markets they have open to them, the more opportunities they have. Not filling a market that we open with produce straightaway is not a sign of failure. My Department has achieved by giving a range of options so farmers’ produce can yield the best possible return. At the heart of Food Vision 2030 is getting the greatest return for our produce and adding value.

At present, the current trends for dairy farmers are positive with regard to input and output prices. Milk experienced a significant agricultural output price increase of 33% in the 12-month period to January 2025. In the same period, the price of agricultural inputs fell by 3.7%, with notable reductions in the prices of electricity, feed and fertilisers.

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