Since the beginning of Irish civilization, agriculture has been a staple of the nation’s economy, culture, and history of the nation. While it has had its ups and downs, most recently with The Celtic Tiger and Brexit, Irish agriculture is on the up, and many changes and updates have been made to this staple Irish industry. As it has been for centuries, Ireland exports the majority of its products, with 175 countries around the world enjoying Irish food and drink exports. Right now, Ireland is thriving on the global stage and is now looking to turn their eye to sustainability. 

As stated earlier, Irish agriculture is comprised mostly of family-owned farms, almost 140,000 of them.  Most of these farms are pasture-based, and the current market is dominated by dairy and livestock, particularly beef. Dairy and beef account for two-thirds of Ireland’s gross agricultural output and Ireland is currently one of the world’s fastest-growing dairy producers and exporters. According to Sustainable Food Systems in Ireland, in 2018 Ireland produced over 10% of Global Infant Formula, was the largest net exporter of Beef in the Northern Hemisphere Irish agri-food exports was valued at €13.6 billion, a 64% increase since 2010, and employed over 173,000 people, 7.6% of the total working population. In addition, cheese exports were worth €800 million, meat and livestock exports were €3.97 billion, and beverages exports were €1.5 billion, with Irish Whiskey accounting for 42% of beverages exports. However, as the Irish dairy industry grows, more and more farmers filter out of Irish wheat production. Tillage farming has declined significantly over the last 40 years, with the amount of tillage farmland falling by 15% in the last ten years and by 42% since 1980. Only about 8% of farmland remains under tillage. Even then, almost half of what is produced by tillage farms is feed cereals for livestock. The rest is largely made up of oats, rapeseed, potatoes, malting barley, and straw.

Ireland is also focusing on sustainability. Ireland is the first country in the world to implement a national sustainability program for agriculture and food called “Origin Green”. “Origin Green” is meant to unite the Irish government, producers, and the private sector in order to make Ireland’s food and drink sector more sustainable. Another strategy, dubbed “Farm to Fork”, was announced in May 2020 and outlines how agriculture across Europe will help to become more sustainable by 2030. The Farm to Fork strategy aims to reduce the usage of pesticides and antimicrobials, reduce biodiversity loss, improve animal welfare, increase the land farmed organically in the EU agricultural land area, and reduce fertilizer usage by 20%. 

 

Sources:

Agriculture & Food in Ireland –. www.sfsi.ie/agriculture-food-ireland/#:~:text=Irish%20agriculture%20is%20dominated%20by%20family-owned%20farms.%20There.

Dowling, Conor. “2020 – Sustainability in Irish Agriculture – Teagasc | Agriculture and Food Development Authority.” Www.teagasc.ie, 24 July 2020, www.teagasc.ie/publications/2020/sustainability-in-irish-agriculture.php.

Dunlop, Steven. “The Story of the Irish Grain Farming Industry and the Need for Change.” Good Food Ireland, 25 Aug. 2021, goodfoodireland.ie/magazine/the-road-less-travelled-grain-farming/. Accessed 3 Apr. 2023.

Magan, Manchán. “Our Daily Bread: Ireland’s Grain Growers and Millers.” The Irish Times, www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/our-daily-bread-ireland-s-grain-growers-and-millers-1.3612824.