IFA to hold national meeting for horticulture growers

The Irish horticultural sector is facing severe pressure due to market challenges, input costs and several longstanding issues

"It is projected that the area of field vegetables will contract by a minimum of 7% again this year. This downward trajectory cannot continue,”

Horticulture

Read More: Events Horticulture Industry IFA Industry Update input costs

20 April 2023

The IFA will hold a national meeting for horticulture growers on 25 April to address the major challenges in the horticulture sector.

Kicking off at 8pm at the CityNorth Hotel, Gormanston, Co.Meath, the meeting will feature guest speakers from Teagasc, Bord Bia and DAFM.

The Irish horticultural sector is under severe pressure due to market challenges, input costs and longstanding issues such as labour and land availability.

The IFA said these issues must be addressed, or the consolidation of growers will inevitably continue.

“We have lost key growers from our industry in the past two years, it is projected that the area of field vegetables will contract by a minimum of 7% again this year. This downward trajectory cannot continue,” said IFA national fruit and vegetable committee chair Niall McCormack.

“On one hand we have government looking to foster and expand our sustainable horticultural sector, yet unless radical changes are made the reality is that our sector will continue to contract resulting in the loss of family farms,” he added.

McCormack concluded: “The unprecedented wet spring to date has results in additional challenges and delays for growers. The importance of underpinning our domestic Irish production has never been as important following recent shortages of certain products and the emphasis on food security.”

All growers are encouraged to attend this meeting.

Read More: Events Horticulture Industry IFA Industry Update input costs

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