Back to Top

 Skip navigation

Extra information
Methodology Previous Releases
International comparison:
See also:
YouTube Video
For more information on this release:
E-mail: agprices@cso.ie
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN 2009-5694
CSO statistical release, , 11am

Agricultural Price Indices Preliminary Estimates

2021

OutputInput Terms of Trade
Base year 2015=100
2020104.0102.2101.7
2021114.7109.0105.2
% change10.3%6.7%3.4%

Agricultural input price index up 6.7% in 2021

go to full release

Preliminary estimates of the agricultural price indices for 2021 show a 6.7% increase in input prices from 2020 levels while output prices are estimated to increase by 10.3%. See Tables 1, 2 and graph.

The projected increase in the input price index of 6.7% is due mainly to a increase in fertilisers (15.4%) and energy (12%). See Table 2.

The projected increase in the output price index of 10.3% is due mainly to increases in sheep (18.6%) and milk (14.8%). See Table 1.

Table 1 Agricultural Output Price Index 2021 - Preliminary estimates (excl VAT)
Category   Base Year 2015 = 100
20152016201720182019202020212021/2020
Agricultural Output Price Index100.095.1106.5104.4103.3104.0114.710.3%
        
Animals100.095.497.895.193.698.3107.19.6%
Cattle100.093.094.793.488.192.6104.512.9%
Sheep100.099.999.7105.199.0109.4129.818.6%
Pigs100.0102.6110.496.5114.3118.2109.5-7.4%
Poultry100.099.599.299.5100.2100.3100.6-0.4%
Milk100.091.0121.3114.4109.1109.9126.214.8%
         
Crop Output100.0106.1104.1119.6131.7114.1118.03.5%
Cereals (including seeds)100.0101.3101.9123.9133.1111.6115.33.3%
Potatoes (including seeds)100.0128.5117.2140.4185.6140.0150.87.7%
Fruit and Vegetables100.0101.5100.9106.9108.3105.9107.31.3%
Agricultural Input Price Indices - Preliminary estimates Figure 3 (XLS 46KB)
Percentage Change
Feeding stuffs 8.8
Energy 12
Fertilisers 15.4
Table 2 Agricultural Input Price Index 2021 - Preliminary estimates (excl VAT)
Category 
20152016201720182019202020212021/2020
Agricultural Input Price Index100.097.998.2102.7105.0102.2109.06.7%
         
Feeding Stuffs100.0100.0100.6107.2110.4108.3117.88.8%
Fertilisers100.086.281.586.490.981.393.815.4%
Seeds100.098.598.598.2106.8102.0108.96.7%
Energy100.091.997.8106.5106.598.0109.812.0%
Plant Protection Products100.0102.3103.1103.9103.8104.1104.90.8%
Veterinary Expenses100.0101.9102.1105.3107.5109.0110.31.2%

Background Notes

Introduction

This release presents preliminary estimates of agricultural price indices. The indices monitor trends in prices paid to farmers for their produce and in prices paid by farmers for purchases of goods and services. An EU harmonised methodology is used to compile these price indices.

The estimates are also sent to Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union, who provide the Directorate-General for Agriculture in Brussels with forecasts of the annual EU agricultural price indices for the current year.

Methodology

The preliminary annual indices are compiled by using the published monthly indices from January to August, and forecast estimates for September to December. In line with EU recommendations, the annual input sub-indices are calculated as simple arithmetic averages of the monthly indices. The annual output sub-indices are calculated as the weighted averages of the monthly indices. The weights used to combine the changes in prices of the individual commodities are based on the annual value of sales off farms and the expenditure by farmers on input purchases for the base year for the output and input indices respectively. The Laspeyres index formula, involving the use of fixed base year weights, has been used in the compilation of the overall index numbers.

The agricultural terms of trade index is the output price index expressed as a percentage of the input price index.

Data Sources

The indices are compiled from a wide variety of sources, including direct CSO surveys and administrative data from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

References

Agricultural Price Indices, monthly CSO release.

upArrowHide Background Notes