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22 Oct 2025
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22 Oct 2025
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A rise in farm incomes in Northern Ireland in 2024 has been welcomed.
Estimates indicate the total income from farming in the region rose by 62.5% (56.2% in real-terms), from £471 million in 2023 to £766 million in 2024.
This includes a 9% increase in the value of output from livestock, a 3% increase for field crops, and a 10% increase for horticulture.
Dairy was termed the largest contributor to the total value of gross output at £1.1 billion in 2024, an increase of 21% between 2023 and 2024, while the annual average farm-gate milk price increased by 17% to 41p per litre.
The output value of cattle (4% higher), sheep (8%) and eggs (16%) increased, while the output value for poultry decreased by 7%, and the value of the pig sector also decreased by 1%.
The total cost of fertilisers in 2024 decreased by 11%, and the total machinery expenses decreased by 1% to £199 million as a result of an 8% decrease in the cost of fuel and oils.
Stormont Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir welcomed the figures.
“This increase is due to improved market prices for milk, beef and lamb combined with some reduction in feed and fertiliser prices for the 2024 year,” he said.
“Farm level income estimates also show that increases are expected for each of the individual farm types, however I appreciate that markets have been particularly volatile over the last five years and changes in farm incomes between years are reflective of this.”
Mr Muir added he appreciates fluctuating market conditions remain a “very difficult issue for farmers to address”.
He added: “These fluctuations are mainly due to world markets which are very much outside our control.
“Consequently, my department focuses effort on helping farmers mitigate cost and price pressures by improving their productivity and resilience, while also addressing their environmental sustainability.
“These are the goals I have set out within the new Sustainable Agriculture Programme and I would encourage all farmers to avail of the support.”
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