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Land Utilisation

Land Utilisation

Online ISSN: 1393-7278
CSO statistical publication, , 11am

Summary of Land Utilisation

There were 4,620,096 ha of Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) excluding commonage in 2023. This is an increase of over 110,000 ha (+2.5%) since 2020 which is driven by a decrease (-16.7%) in land classified as commonage. There were almost 270,000 ha under cereals in 2023, down from just over 300,000 ha (-12.5%) in 2013. 82.2% of UAA in 2023 was under silage, hay or pasture grassland.

X-axis labelOther Crops and HorticultureTotal CerealsTotal Grassland
2013834883078414145105
2016710502803704104375
2020922082655924151457
2023956872693594255050
Table 7.1 Summary of Land Utilisation (2013 - 2023)

In 2023, the South-West and West regions had the most UAA with 868,776 and 866,017 ha respectively. The Dublin and Mid-East regions combined reported only 508,590 ha UAA while the Midland region had 410,279 ha.

Map 7.1 Agricultural Area Farmed by Region, 2023

The West region reported the most Grassland (including rough grazing) in 2023 with approximately 860,000 ha, accounting for 20.2% in the state. The South-West region reported the next largest area under Grassland with almost 820,000 ha. Dublin reported just over 14,000 ha of Grassland in 2023.

Map 7.2 Total Grassland Area by Region, 2023

The South-East and Mid-East were the largest producers of cereals with nearly 80,000 ha each. Combined they represent 58.3% of the area under cereals in 2023. The West region reported less than 5,000 ha of area under cereals, less than 2% of the total area under cereals in the state.

Map 7.3 Total Cereals Area by Region, 2023
Table 7.2 Land Utilisation by Region, 2023

Cereals

There were almost 270,000 ha under cereals in 2023. Over 185,000 ha were under Barley, accounting for 69.2% of the total area under cereals. There were 10,290 farms growing cereals in 2023, down from 12,515 (-17.8%) in 2013.

X-axis labelWheatOatsBarleyNumber of Farms
2013606012665821946712515
2016678412323218929410564
202046970254081931869401
2023557822723018634010290
Table 7.3 Number of Farms with Cereals and Cereal Area (2013 - 2023)

The South-East region had the highest number of cereal farms with 3,136, reporting 78,848 ha of cereals. The Dublin and Mid-East regions combined reported 88,258 ha under cereals on 2,183 farms. The West region had the least area under cereals with 4,825 ha on 480 farms.

X-axis labelWheatBarleyOats
Border7984008781
West17134941161
Mid-West3278161033118
South-East10089605378220
South-West4348322263519
Mid-East & Dublin32754476937808
Midlands4344222792623
Table 7.4 Cereals, Other Crops, Fruit and Horticulture by Region, 2023

Grassland

The West region reported the most grassland in 2023. The total area under Grass Silage, Hay, Pasture and Rough Grazing was just over 860,000 ha where Pasture accounted for 54.5%. The next largest area under Grass Silage, Hay, Pasture and Rough Grazing was in the South-West region at nearly 815,000 ha.

X-axis labelGrass silageHayPastureRough Grazing
Border18754414353384729139594
West23769221928468989131440
Mid-West2370492297838537631584
South-East1529881626424192511357
South-West24808516420437710113838
Mid-East & Dublin1185452100422563615568
Midlands1334471209321472912189
Table 7.5 Silage, Hay and Pasture by Region (2023)