The Clare-based general secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association claims factory meat prices are “nowhere near” high enough to cover input costs.
Bord Bia figures indicate that the average price for sheepmeat in Ireland last year was 20c behind where it was in 2022.
The Irish Farm Accounts Co-operative Society’s most recent Irish Farm Report meanwhile has found that for the third year running, farmers have identified inputs costs as their greatest concern.
Cratloe farmer Eddie Punch says the burden of rising costs coupled with falling meat prices are putting significant strain on the agricultural sector.
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