Regional Accounts for Agriculture 2024

The Border region (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, and Sligo) had the second highest dependency on Livestock for its agricultural income. It produced 24% of Irish Pigs, 26% of Irish Sheep, and 67% of Irish poultry in 2024. It also produced 8% of all Irish Milk and has the second lowest dependency on Milk, which accounted for just 20% of the region’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices.

The region experienced the highest rate of increase in its Agricultural Output at Basic Prices, which grew by 12% (+€168m) to €1.6bn. Despite slightly lower dairy cow numbers (-1%), Milk contributed an additional €64m to the value of agricultural outputs. Livestock generated an extra €46m in 2024, with the value of Cattle rising by 4% (+€13m) to €381m and Sheep increasing by 14% (+€12m) to €99m. The value of Poultry rose by 9% (+€13m) to €159m.

Intermediate Consumption costs were largely unchanged (+€2m) at €1.1bn. With its high concentration of intensive pig and poultry production, the region was the largest consumer of Feeding Stuffs, accounting for 20% of the national total. Expenditure on Feeding Stuffs fell by 7% (-€31m) to €426m. Fertiliser costs decreased by 20% (-€14m) to €58m, while the cost of Energy & Lubricants contracted by 5% (-€4m) to €75m. Payments for Other Subsidies less Taxes on Production grew by 30% (+€82m) to €356m, the highest regional rate of increase. The Border also had the highest rate of growth in Operating Surplus, which rose by 77% (+€263m) to €604m. When net interest and land rental costs are accounted for, its Entrepreneurial Income rose by 91% (+€251m) to €527m (See Table 1.2).