The South-West region (Cork and Kerry) is the largest agricultural region in the country, generating 21% of the State’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices in 2024. It is the largest Milk producer, accounting for 31% of Irish Milk. Milk generated 48% of the region’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices. While it has the lowest dependency on Livestock, with 29% of the value of its agricultural output generated from animals, it is still the second largest producer of Cattle, producing 17% of the State’s total. Crops generated 16% of the region’s output, with Forage Plants alone accounting for 11%.
The value of the South-West’s Agricultural Output at Basic Prices was up by 10% (+€234m) to €2.6bn. Milk was the main driver of this increase, with its value up 16% (+€176m) to €1.3bn. The value of its Livestock rose by 4% (+€32m) to €768m with Pigs generating €12m of this increase. Cattle values rose by €7m to €511m while Sheep also increased by €7m to €56m. The value of Crop production grew by 4% (+€15m) to €427m. Cereals were up 12% (+€6m) to €58m while Other Crops increased by 14% (+€3m) to €28m.
Intermediate Consumption costs fell by 4% (-€60m) to €1.6bn. The cost of Fertilisers contracted by 21% (-€37m) to €137m while Feeding Stuffs were down 7% (-€32m) to €422m and Energy & Lubricants costs fell by 8% (-€10m) to €125m. Payments for Other Subsidies less Taxes on Production increased by 29% (+€82m) to €369m. The region’s Operating Surplus grew by 54% (+€340m) to €977m while its Entrepreneurial Income rose by 67% (+€325m) to €806m (See Table 1.2).
| X-axis label | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Cattle | 19.6 |
| Sheep | 2.2 |
| Pigs | 5.5 |
| Milk | 48.3 |
| Forage plants | 11.4 |
| All other crops | 4.9 |
| Other | 8.1 |
| Table 6.1: Regional Agricultural Accounts at NUTS 3 level for South-West Region, 2021-2024 | |||||||||
| Description | € million | Change 2024/2023 | % Share of State Total | ||||||
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Value (€m) | Value (%) | 2024 | |||
| Livestock | 645 | 736 | 737 | 768 | 32 | 4 | 16 | ||
| Livestock Products | 1,092 | 1,559 | 1,094 | 1,269 | 175 | 16 | 30 | ||
| Crops | 317 | 424 | 412 | 427 | 15 | 4 | 15 | ||
| Goods Output at Producer Prices | 2,055 | 2,719 | 2,242 | 2,464 | 222 | 10 | 21 | ||
| Agricultural Output at Basic Prices | 2,150 | 2,832 | 2,374 | 2,608 | 234 | 10 | 21 | ||
| Intermediate Consumption | 1,192 | 1,638 | 1,634 | 1,574 | -60 | -4 | 20 | ||
| Gross Value Added at Basic Prices | 958 | 1,194 | 740 | 1,034 | 294 | 40 | 22 | ||
| Net Subsidies | 307 | 352 | 286 | 372 | 85 | 30 | 18 | ||
| Operating Surplus | 935 | 1,179 | 636 | 977 | 340 | 54 | 23 | ||
| Entrepreneurial Income | 814 | 1,036 | 482 | 806 | 325 | 67 | 23 | ||
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