Fertiliser prices increased by 18.6% in the year to August 2026, new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows.

In the 12 months to August 2026, the agricultural input price index was up by 7% higher, while the agricultural output price index dropped by 13%.

Output prices in August 2026 decreased by 2.1% compared with the previous month, due to lower cattle and pig prices.

The CSO data shows that input prices increased slightly by 0.6% when compared with July 2026 with energy rising by 6.3%.

Terms of trade fell by 2.6% from July 2026 to August 2026 and by 18.7% when compared with August 2025.

Inputs

Cian O'Riordan, statistician in the CSO Agriculture Division, said: "The agricultural output price index for August 2026 fell by 13.0% when compared with August 2025.

"Prices for milk (-17.6%), cattle (-14.9%) and pigs (-14.4%) were also lower compared with August 2025, while crop output was up (+4.1%).

"Output prices in August 2026 were lower by 2.1% when compared with July 2026, driven by falls in the prices for cattle (-3.0%) and pigs (-1.3%)," he added.

O'Riordan said the agricultural input price index for August 2026 was 7% higher than in August 2025.

"Prices for motor fuels (+25.4%) and fertilisers (+18.6%) rose when compared with August 2025.

"Input prices in August 2026 saw a marginal increase when compared with July 2026 (+0.6%)," he said.

Fertiliser

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon this week confirmed a €46.2 million funding package to support farmers facing fertiliser cost spikes caused by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

The funding combines Ireland’s €15.38 million allocation from the EU Fertiliser Exceptional Aid package with the maximum allowable national top-up of 200%, or €30.8 million.

This exceptional aid package will deliver financial support before the end of this year to those impacted by increased fertiliser costs.

The scheme will see a payment rate of €40/t and will be based on existing data on purchases of fertiliser held on the National Fertiliser Database for the 2025 fertiliser year.