Thomas Gould
Ceist:145. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he has taken to reduce food prices for ordinary consumers. [35674/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 14 May 2026
Ceisteanna (145)
Freagraí scríofa
As Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I have no role in determining or intervening in prices for agri-food commodities at farm gate or retail level. Market prices are a commercial matter between suppliers and buyers.
It is also important to note that agricultural input prices are only one element of food prices. The final cost also includes processing, transportation, packaging, marketing, and retail costs.
My Department, however, continues to monitor trends in agricultural inputs and outputs. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) reports monthly on the Agricultural Price Output Index, which tracks the prices paid to farmers for their produce, and the Agricultural Price Input Index, which tracks the prices paid by farmers for purchases of goods and services. These prices are sensitive to geopolitical and global economic trends and shocks and have seen considerable volatility since 2021.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) release, "Output, Input and Income in Agriculture - Preliminary Estimate 2025", indicates broadly positive trading conditions in 2025 for farmers, when compared to the output price volatility of recent years. Intermediate consumption – which includes fertiliser, feeding stuffs and energy costs – increased by 2 percent (+€190million) to €7.9 billion. The value of Goods Output at Producer Prices grew by over 12% o(+€1.5 billion) to €13.2 billion. A Final Estimate will be published later this year.
While these estimates are positive, the current crisis in the Middle East is of concern. Agriculture in Ireland and the EU is vulnerable to shocks in the availability and price of inputs, and in particular, animal feed, fertiliser and fuel due to limited internal production capacity and a reliance on imports. While Ireland has limited direct trade with the Middle East region for agricultural inputs, there is a risk of exposure to long-term disruption in international supply chains.
The Government recognised the exceptional pressure that rising fuel costs are placing on our farmers, contractors, and fishers, and has been in close contact with representative bodies in recent weeks. A substantial support package has been put in place, with the full removal of all non-carbon excise on green diesel of 7.4c/l. I announced a further income support payment worth up to 20c/l through the €100 million Fuel Income Support Scheme, designed to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers facing the significant increases in fuel costs. My Department will continue to monitor the evolving situation.
I would also highlight the role of An Rialálaí Agraibhia (The Agrifood Regulator) in relation to the market. It ensures compliance with, and enforcement of, legislation on unfair trading practices in the agri-food supply chain and also provides information on the agri-food supply chain through the analysis of price and market data.