Horticulture Sector

Thursday, 16 July 2026

Questions (438)

Robert O'Donoghue

Question:

438. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measurable targets contained within the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023–2027 that have been achieved to date; which targets remain behind schedule, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54763/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability and provides a road map for the sector to achieve this potential. The strategy outlines eight key strategic actions to drive change and growth across all sub-sectors of horticulture including attracting new entrants into the sector.

To ensure the strategy remains on track to deliver the industry's shared vision and aligned with the Food Vision 2030 strategy, a mid-term review consultation was carried out during 2025 and concluded with publication of the final Mid Term Review Report Q4 2025 National_Strategy_for_Horticulture_mid_term_review_final_1.pdf (www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/adfc069a/National_Strategy_for_Horticulture_mid_term_review_final_1.pdf)

Each year my Department also reports to the Food Vision 2030's High Level Implementation Committee on progress in the implementation of the National Horticulture Strategy.

Significant progress has been achieved across all areas. Furthermore, the farm gate value of the sector has increased from €529 million in 2023 to €652 million in 2025 and is on course to exceed the target of €688 million by the end of 2027.

National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 – Progress on Key targets

Key Targets

Mid-Term Review 2025

Actions to end of 2027

Strengthening growers’ position in the marketplace (Key Strategic Actions 1, 2 and 8)

- 49 growers in Producer Organisation Scheme.

- Horticulture Grant Schemes more accessible to smaller growers with threshold for expenditure lowered to €7,500 with 50% aid for organic and young farmers.

- Innovation Scheme for primary producers introduced.

- Significant engagement with 5 main retailers and draft Retail Charter presented to each.

- Continue to instil benefits of joining a Producer Organisation and continue to increase number of growers joining Producer Organisations, including Teagasc guidance on approaches to forming producer groups and DAFM facilitation of trips to Continental Producer Organisations.

- Continue to administer supports to growers.

- Retailers to sign Charter and extend Charter to consolidators.

Greater Sectoral Promotion and Education (Key Strategic Action 2)

- Increased coordination with Department of Health, Department of Education and Agri-

Aware

- 200,000+ students reached each year through Food Dudes School Programme.

- Continue Sectoral promotions.

- Consider funding mechanisms for future advertising campaigns.

Increase Talent, Skills & Labour (Key Strategic Actions 3 and 4)

- Horticulture Education Review Report published in 2025.

- Horticulture Education Leadership Group (HELG) established in 2026.

- Teagasc Apprenticeship Scheme launched with 90 employers registered.

- Seasonal Employment Permit (SEP) Pilot Scheme launched in 2025.

- Increase Industry support for Apprenticeship Scheme

- Reposition Horticulture as a Career of Choice

- Feed into next Seasonal Employment Permit Scheme pilot

- Continue engagement with Dept. of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment on labour challenges.

Enhance Research, Development, Innovation and Market Supports (Key Strategic Actions 5, 6, 7 and 8)

- Sector R&D needs synthesised informing DAFM Research Calls.

- Bord Bia Market Research.

- Teagasc Horti metrics pilot completed.

- Annual Census Data Collection commence in 2026 with trial in 2025.

- Increase grower participation in census and better data collection.

- Ensure research needs of sector reflected in DAFM Research Calls.

- Bord Bia to gather Multi Pricing and Crop Intelligence data from 2026.

- Research on Import Substitution opportunities for the sector.

- Including horticulture in the Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System.