Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
454. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken by his Department to address continued food price inflation and to ensure primary producers receive fair share of retail prices while maintaining affordability for consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36475/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister, 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. The final cost to consumers also reflects other costs incurred along the supply chain, including processing, transportation, packaging, marketing, and retail costs.
Regarding prices received by primary producers, it is global rather than domestic prices which mainly determine farm gate prices for milk and cattle in Ireland. My Department continues to monitor trends in prices received and paid by primary producers as reported by the Central Statistics Office:
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. Agricultural Price Indices are available at: www.cso.ie/en/statistics/agriculture/agriculturalpriceindices/.
Advance, Preliminary and Final estimates for Output, Input and Income in Agriculture are released by the CSO each year and provide an account of farm outputs, input costs and income. Output, Input and Income in Agriculture releases are available at: www.cso.ie/en/statistics/agriculture/outputinputandincomeinagriculture/.
The Government will continue to support farmers through the €9.8 billion CAP Strategic Plan and other specific supports as needed.
In relation to the market, the work of An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) is concerned with transparency and fairness along the agri-food supply chain. An Rialálaí Agraibhia is an independent statutory Office established under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023. 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 engagement with stakeholders, including primary producers, and the analysis of price and market data.
