The overall area under cereals fell by 16,300ha to 272,400ha in the 12 month period from June 2022 to June 2023, according to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Latest research from the CSO shows that there was a slump in the total area of land under winter cereals in the 12 months to June 2023.
Winter wheat fell by 9,200ha (15.3%), oats declined by 5,100ha (33.9%) and winter barley also fell by 20,800ha (28.2%)
In contrast the total area under spring cereals increased in June 2023 compared with corresponding statistics for a year earlier.
According to the CSO the total area farmed fell by 158,700ha to 4,189,200ha in June 2023 when compared with June 2022.
The area under crops and pasture dropped to 3,368,500ha which represented a 10% decrease or 376,900ha.
Its latest regional analysis for June 2023 shows that the mid-west region had the highest areas under crops and pasture with 602,600ha.
In relation to cereals the mid-east and Dublin emerged as the highest region with 89,300ha under cereals.
Meanwhile according to Bobby Miller, chair of the Irish Grain Growers Group (IGGG) the decline in the area under cereals in the 12 months to June 2023 is not unexpected, he believes this may be a trend that could continue.
Miller said it is likely that in 2024 there could be “a bigger loss of cereal area”.
“We could loose up to 20,000ha of cereals this year,” he warned.
He said that consistent wet weather has proved very difficult for growers following the challenges presented by weather in 2023.
“It is likely that 2024 is going to be equally difficulty – probably less than 5% of spring crops have gone into the ground at this stage where it should be 70 or 80% gone in in a normal year.
“We’re worried about yield losses and quality losses now because there is going to be a later harvest so amongst many other things the weather is really calling the shots again this year,” he added.
According to Miller there are a number of factors driving the decline in the overall tillage area.
“We’ve the nitrates, non recognition of native Irish grain versus imports and pressure from costs as well – those are the three key factors currently.
“We’re well aware of the volume of grain that is coming in from the Ukraine at present – we fully understand the difficulties of a war but cheaper imports are having an impact for Irish tillage farmers and having a huge impact on their incomes.
“The only way to increase the tillage area in this country is to increase the margin per hectare and that means policy change at government level to provide supports that are required,” Miller said.