Currently, the number of horticultural growers in Ireland is on a declining trend, and it is likely to continue this way. Forecasts show that the area of field vegetables might contract by a minimum of 7% again this year.
According to IFA Deputy President Brian Rushe, radical changes must be implemented in order for the Irish horticultural sector to survive and prosper. “The challenges facing this sector are multi-factorial. The rising cost of production and the dominant position of the retail buyers has resulted in the consolidation of growers over the past decade.”
IFA National Fruit & Vegetable Committee Chair Niall McCormack said retailers have used fresh produce, in particular, as marketing tools to attract consumers into their stores, offering fresh fruit and vegetables at discount prices that do not relate to the production costs.
“Retailers may claim that the cost of special promotions is funded by them, and while this may be accurate on a short-term basis, the cost of such promotions is built into procurement prices over time,” Rushe said. “It is imperative that the new Agri-Food Regulator addresses these issues with urgency.”
Source: ifa.ie
