Horticulture Council Report November 2025

Market Report

Growing-wise it was a favourable season for most sub-sectors of horticulture. In the vegetable sector, growers experienced a favourable planting season overall, with many crops going into the ground in good time. Planting windows were utilised effectively and the warmer, more settled spell during the spring allowed many crops to establish strongly. However, although the planting phase was positive, some lines faced a dip in consumption during the hotter summer months, which slightly dampened overall market performance for those crops most sensitive to heat and reduced moisture. For protected crops, the growing season was favourable. Consistent light levels enabled timely harvesting and good-quality produce. The warm weather experienced contributed to strong consumer and retail demand throughout the summer months. Similarly, it has been a positive year for amenity growers, with favourable growing conditions and weather conditions driving consumer demand. It has been an extremely challenging period for the mushroom sector. Sustained periods of warmer weather and poor economic confidence/household budgets, stretched in the UK and at home, led to approximately 6% decline in consumption during the summer months. This, coupled with labour challenges and input cost increases has caused a very difficult season for the sector. While many crops achieved good yields and quality, the economic backdrop is difficult. Average input costs in the horticulture sector have risen markedly over recent years. Markedly, the increase in the minimum wage announced in Budget 2026 will have a huge impact on all sub-sectors. 

Staffing

The cost and availability of staff is a major concern for growers. The sector has been hit hard by acute staff shortages, driven by Ireland’s low unemployment rate and a lack of a structured and permanent work permit scheme. This reliance on non-European labour is further strained by rising wage demands, including the sharp 2024 increase in the Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR) for General Employment Permits. A pilot of the seasonal work permit scheme took place over the summer months. Several growers originally volunteered for the scheme; however, many had to withdraw because of timing, issues with visa applications and the impracticality of operating a two-tiered wage structure.  A report will now be prepared on the findings from the pilot scheme. IFA continues to engage with the Department of Enterprise to make this scheme fit for purpose for industry. A committee was established for the duration of the Seasonal Employment Permit pilot. IFA continues to engage with this grouping and provide written feedback on the current challenges which the pilot scheme poses. 

Food Regulator 

IFA continues to engage with the office of the Food Regulator and further meetings with the CEO are arranged. The office will play a very important role in bringing fairness back into our food supply chain and level the playing pitch in negotiations between farmers, processors and retailers.  IFA continues to lobby for a Statutory Instrument to give the office additional powers to compel actors in the food chain to provide information to the office of the regulator upon request. 

Horticulture Grant Aid Scheme

The 2026 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector is now officially open for applications. The scheme is part of an increased budget of €8.8 million secured for 

horticulture in 2026.  Further details https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/press-releases/opening-of-the-2026-scheme-of-investment-aid-for-the-development-of-the-commercial-horticulture-sector/

Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT)

Budget 2026 gives another opportunity for landowners subject to RZLT in 2026 to request a change from their Local Authority in the zoning of their land and avail of an exemption from RZLT liability.

“There will be an exemption from the 2026 RZLT liability if a landowner applies for a rezoning to reflect the “genuine economic activity currently being carried out on the land”

This remains a temporary solution from a tax that is unfair to genuine farmers of land that fall within the scope of RZLT.  Responsibility to gain the exemption, and the cost associated with gaining the exemption falls back on the landowner. IFA has campaigned to have a permanent solution that will remove actively farmed land from the scope of residential zoned land tax. This remains the policy of IFA. IFA position remains that landowners with declared agricultural activity must be removed from the scope of residential zoned land tax.

Activity since last National Council 

• IFA continues to represent growers on the issue of work permits and soaring staff costs. A meeting of the steering group on the seasonal work permit scheme will be held shortly which IFA will attend. 
• IFA horticulture representatives attended the Agri‑Food Regulator Conference in May at Johnstown Estate and Policy Executive Niamh Brennan participated in a panel at the event. An IFA delegation met with the office again last month. 
• IFA completed a submission on the public consultation on the Employment Permits Occupations list last month. 
• An IFA Fruit & Vegetable Committee meeting took place in the Irish Farm Centre on June 5th.
• IFA Fruit and Vegetable Chair Niall McCormack and Niamh Brennan attended a COPA COGECA fruit and vegetable meeting in Brussels last month.  
• IFA attend monthly meetings of the Horticulture Industry Forum sub-group. 
• IFA continues to work with Bord Bia to deliver the ‘Life is Better with Fruit and Vegetables’ promotion. The promotion is 80% funded from the EU with the balance supported by growers. More info on https://fruitnveg.ie/
• IFA continued to liaise with all retails and packers on how the season is unfolding, the weather conditions, staffing costs and all other issues. 
• IFA representatives attended the Organic Roadshow on Leakage, which was a series of events held in September and October 2025 across Ireland to address the “leakage” of organic produce from the supply chain.
• There was an IFA Organic Project Team meeting held online in September.
• The Organic project team had a stand in the Organic Village at this year’s ploughing championship. There were excellent footfall and engagement over the three days. 

EU/COPA Developments 

• IFA continues to engage with our COPA COGECA counterparts on all issues. 

Upcoming Events / Issues

• The EU promotional campaign for Fruit and Veg is now underway. More information can be seen here https://fruitnveg.ie/. The promotion is 80% funded from the EU with the remaining contribution from growers.
• The Horticulture Industry Forum will hold a General Growers meeting in Backweston on November 12th. Registration is open on https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/horticulture-industry-forum-grower-meeting-tickets-1719048734039

• The IHNSA Annual General Meeting will take place in the Killeshin Hotel on Thursday the 13th of November at 6pm.