Midlands farmers lead the way with 80% income surge
New figures show Midlands farmers are leading the way, with farm entrepreneurial income soaring by 80% to €555 million in 2025 - the largest increase of any region.
According to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office today (Thursday, October 8) the value of agricultural output also rose by 12%, or €163 million.
The midlands region (Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath) is the second smallest agricultural producing region as measured by the value of agricultural output.
This rate of increase in entrepreneurial income was the largest of all regions.
The west (Galway, Mayo and Roscommon), the smallest agricultural producing region in terms of output value, experienced the largest rate of growth in the value of its agricultural output at basic prices (+18%).
As the region with the largest dependency on cattle, it also had the second largest rate of increase in entrepreneurial income, which rose by 47% (+€181 million) to €564 million in 2025.
Cattle
The border region (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo) had the second largest rate of increase in cattle values (+38%, €143 million) in 2025.
As the largest producer of pigs in the country, the lower pig prices resulted in the value of its pig production falling by 8% (-€14 million).
The value of its agricultural output at basic prices grew 11% (+€175 million) and its entrepreneurial income was up by 17% to €630 million.
The mid-west (Clare, Limerick and Tipperary) was the largest producer of cattle and the second largest producer of milk in 2025.
The value of its agricultural output at basic prices grew by 14% (+€299 million), while its entrepreneurial income rose by 43% to €687 million, with cattle (+€206 million) the main contributor to this increase.
Crops
The south-east (Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford) is the second largest producer of crops in the state.
The value of its agricultural output at basic prices was up 10% (+€191 million) with cattle accounting for €144 million of this growth and milk an additional €68 million.
Intermediate consumption costs increased by 5% (+€57 million) and its entrepreneurial income rose by 29% to €634 million.
In 2025, the south-west (Cork and Kerry), the largest milk producing region in the country, saw the value of its agricultural output at basic prices grow by 10% (+€259 million).
Expenditure on intermediate consumption rose by 7% to €1.7 billion, the highest rate of increase of all regions.
The region’s entrepreneurial income was up by 10% to €887 million.
This was the lowest rate of increase in entrepreneurial income of all regions.
The Dublin and mid-east region (Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow) is the largest crop producing region in the state.
The value of its agricultural output was up by 9% (+€143 million), the lowest rate of increase of all regions.
Expenditure on intermediate consumption costs rose by 7% to €915 million, the second highest rate of increase, while its entrepreneurial income was up 28% to €628 million.
CSO
The CSO has today (October 8) published regional accounts for agriculture 2025.
Commenting on the release, Mairead Griffin, statistician in the agricultural accounts and production section, said:
“The value of agricultural output at basic prices increased by €1.4 billion (+12%) in 2025, with cattle accounting for €1.1 billion of this growth.
"The price of milk rose by 3% and with output volumes also higher, the value of milk production went up by 8%.
"Pig prices were down 5%, although the full impact of lower prices on production values was offset by slightly higher volumes, resulting in the value of pig production falling by 2%.
"The value of crops was down 3% for the year. Cereal prices fell by an average of 14%, but higher volumes resulted in just a 1% fall in cereal values.
"Potatoes and wool were both big movers in terms of prices, with potato prices falling by 24% and wool prices increasing by 24%."
Griffin said intermediate consumption costs were up 5% (+€380 million), with fertilisers accounting for €132 million of this rise.
The cost of maintenance and repairs grew by €107 million (+17%), with the damage caused by Storm Éowyn contributing to this increase.
At a national level, operating surplus was up 23% (+€985 million) while entrepreneurial income, which factors in the cost of land rent and interest payments, rose by 31% (+€1.1 billion) in 2025.
