Regional Accounts for Agriculture 2024

The South-East (Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, and Wexford) is the second largest producer of cereals, potatoes, and fresh fruit in the country, growing 17% of Irish Crops in 2024. It is also the third largest Milk producing region, accounting for 19% of Irish Milk. Milk generated 38% of the value of the region’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices, with Livestock a further 32%, and Crops another 25%. It is also an important producer of horses, with 25% of the value of all Horses generated within the region.

The region’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices increased by 7% (+€128m) to €2.0bn. The value of its Livestock grew by €18m to €644m with Cattle, Pigs and Sheep all adding an additional €3m to their respective values in 2024. The value of Horse production rose by 10% (+€8m) to €85m. It is the only region that experienced a drop in the value of its Crop production, which was down 2% (-€8m) to €492m, mainly due to the value of Forage Plants falling by 8% (-€21m) to €233m.

Intermediate Consumption costs decreased by 8% (-€104m) to €1.1bn, the second highest regional rate of decline. The cost of Fertilisers dropped by 32% (-€51m) to €111m while expenditure on Feeding Stuffs was down 7% (-€23m) to €299m. Forage Plants accounted for a further €21m of the reduction in costs. Payments for Other Subsidies less Taxes on Production were up 17% (+€30m) to €211m. The region’s Operating Surplus grew by 56% to €611m while its Entrepreneurial Income increased by 85% to €497m (See Table 1.2).