The value of Agricultural Output at Basic Prices is expected to rise by 9% (+€1.2bn) to €13.6bn in 2025.
A 43% increase in Cattle prices is the main factor behind a 17% (+€828m) growth in Livestock values, which are expected to reach €5.6bn, as the value of Cattle (+27%) and Poultry (+8%) increase.
Milk prices are projected to have risen by an average of 4% by year end, and with volumes up by 6%, the value of Milk production is expected to increase by €419m to €4.5bn.
It is anticipated that Sheep values will drop by 7% as lower volumes (-15%) outweigh the impact of higher prices (+9%).
The value of Crops is expected to contract by 4% (-€121m) to €2.7bn. There is no significant change in the value of Cereals, although it should be noted that the value of Barley is estimated to have dropped by €30m, but this reduction is offset by the higher value of Wheat (+€29m) and Oats (+€1m).
It is estimated that Intermediate Consumption costs will increase by 4% (+€273m) to €8.0bn in 2025, although this estimate should be interpreted with caution as there are currently no indicators of volume changes available for many inputs.
The payment of net subsidies (i.e. Subsidies less Taxes on Products plus Other Subsidies less Taxes on Production) is currently expected to grow by 2% (+€43m) to €2.1bn.
The combined impact on Agricultural Operating Surplus of higher output values, costs and net subsidy payments, is a rise of 19% (+€826m), bringing its value to €5.1bn for 2025.
The figures for 2025 are advance estimates which are provisional and based on the latest available data. These figures are subject to change once the complete set of data for the full year becomes available. Updated figures for 2025 will be published in the Preliminary Estimate in March 2026, followed by the Final Estimate in June 2026.
| Table 1.1: Output, Input and Income in Agriculture, 2022–2025 | ||||||||
| € million | Annual Change (%) | |||||||
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||
| Goods Output | 12,310 | 10,807 | 11,739 | 12,858 | -12.2 | 8.6 | 9.5 | |
| Intermediate Consumption | 7,903 | 7,972 | 7,682 | 7,955 | 0.9 | -3.6 | 3.6 | |
| Net Subsidies | 1,952 | 1,642 | 2,048 | 2,091 | -15.9 | 24.7 | 2.1 | |
| Operating Surplus | 4,771 | 2,714 | 4,290 | 5,116 | -43.1 | 58.1 | 19.2 | |
| Entrepreneurial Income | 4,177 | 2,002 | 3,473 | 4,325 | -52.1 | 73.5 | 24.5 | |
| X-axis label | Goods Output | Intermediate Consumption | Net Subsidies | Operating Surplus | Entrepreneurial Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 12.310253140208 | 7.90293162311042 | 1.95181223415686 | 4.77055501264094 | 4.17739748971376 |
| 2023 | 10.8065650324728 | 7.97194255646959 | 1.64188259988243 | 2.71353830701084 | 2.00178153344581 |
| 2024 | 11.7385321034149 | 7.6820436276987 | 2.04780381219994 | 4.29010287794833 | 3.47273869004891 |
| 2025 | 12.8583524474857 | 7.9554230913199 | 2.091149194088 | 5.11562136688184 | 4.32513161066668 |
The CSO’s first estimate of Agricultural Operating Surplus for 2025 is an increase of 19% (+€826m) to €5.1bn. The main driver behind this growth is higher Cattle prices.
Cattle prices are projected to rise by 43% for the year, but with volumes down by 11%, their value will grow by €833m to €3.9bn. Milk prices are estimated to grow by an average of 4% this year, and with volumes up by 6%, the value of Milk is expected to increase by €419m to €4.5bn.
It is anticipated that Pig values will remain relatively static for the year, up just €2m to €712m, as higher volumes (+3%) are largely negated by lower prices (-2%). Sheep prices are expected to be stronger for the year (+9%), but with volumes forecasted to drop by 15%, the value of Sheep production will contract by €26m to €361m. The value of Poultry is expected to increase by €19m to €256m due to both higher volumes (+6%) and prices (+2%).
The overall value of Crops is expected to contract by 4% (-€121m) to €2.7bn in 2025. Cereal volumes are projected to rise by 10%, but this growth is largely nullified by a 9% fall in prices. As a result, it is anticipated that Cereal values will remain largely unchanged on 2024 values. The volume of Forage Plants is estimated to be broadly similar to what it was in 2024, but with prices down 3%, values will decrease by €36m to €1.6bn. The value of Other Crops is expected to contract by 11% (-€85m) to €665m, primarily due to lower prices (-8%).
With the value of Goods Output at Producer Prices up by €1.1bn, the value of Contract Work increasing by €11m and the payment of Subsidies less Taxes on Products rising by €32m, the value of Agricultural Output at Basic Prices is expected to grow by 9% to €13.6bn.
In relation to input costs, it should be noted that the projected cost of most items of Intermediate Consumption, excluding Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs, are based only on the available year to date price changes. On that basis, Intermediate Consumption costs are expected to rise by 4% (+€273m) to €8.0bn. Fertilisers account for €203m of this increase, with volumes up by 28% and prices growing by 5%. It is estimated that the cost of Feeding Stuffs will rise by 4% (+€94m) to €2.2bn, as prices drop by 2% and volumes increase by 6%. Expenditure on Energy & Lubricants is expected to contract by 2% (-€9m) to €600m, while the cost of Forage Plants will drop by 2% (-€36m) to €1.6bn.
With the value of Agricultural Output at Basic Prices projected to be up by €1.2bn, Intermediate Consumption costs rising by €273m, Other Subsidies less Taxes on Production growing by €11m and Compensation of Employees’ costs increasing by €75m, Operating Surplus, based on the currently available data, is expected to rise by 19% (+€826m) to €5.1bn in 2025.
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Statistician's Comment
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (03 December 2025) published Output, Input and Income in Agriculture – Advance Estimate 2025.
Commenting on the release, Mairead Griffin, Statistician in the Agricultural Accounts and Production Section, said: “This early estimate of the value of agricultural outputs, inputs, and income for 2025 shows an increase in agricultural income. However, as always with these early estimates, it is important to note they are based on provisional values which will change with the availability of end-of-year stock volumes, and the additional information on volumes and prices required for more reliable estimates of all output values and costs.
This year’s results are dominated by Cattle, as their prices are expected to be up by an average of 43%. The impact of these higher Cattle prices is, however, somewhat offset by lower volumes (-11%), with the net impact projected to be an increase of €833m in Cattle values. The value of Milk is estimated to grow by €419m, as prices rise by an average of 4% and, based on current year to date trends, volumes grow by 6%. Higher Sheep prices, which are expected to increase by 9% for the year, are not enough to offset a steep drop in volumes (-15%), bringing their value to €361m. Poultry production is predicted to increase by €19m (+8%) to €256m, with higher volumes accounting for 6% of this rise.
Costs and Surpluses
As always with our advance estimates, due to the very limited information available on many costs, particular caution is required when interpreting projected costs for the year. Our current expectation, based on the available data, is that Intermediate Consumptions costs will rise by 4% (+€273m) to €8.0bn. The cost of Fertilisers is expected to increase by 34% (+€203m) due primarily to higher volumes (+28%), while the cost of Feeding Stuffs is projected to grow by 4% (+€94m) despite lower prices (-2%).
Current indicators are that the combined value of payments of Subsidies less Taxes on Products, together with Other Subsidies less Taxes on Production, is an increase of 2% (+€43m).
The expected net impact on Operating Surplus of both higher output values, costs and subsidy payments, is an increase of 19% (+€826m), bringing the value of Operating Surplus to €5.1bn in 2025.”