Farm Incomes Rise but Cost Prices Soar
UK - The Ulster Farmers’ Union has welcomed confirmation that incomes rose significantly in the local dairy and cereal sectors during 2007. UFU President Kenneth Sharkey said the boost to farm incomes in some sectors was badly needed after a long term farming recession.
1 February 2008
1 minute read
However the UFU has warned that soaring feed, fuel and fertiliser costs present a huge challenge to the farming industry in 2008.
Responding to the publication of farm income figures by the Department of Agriculture, UFU President Kenneth Sharkey said; “The headline figure that farm incomes rose by 46% last year will draw a lot of attention. 2007 was a much better year for some of our farming sectors, notably milk and cereal production. This was primarily caused by global shortages in these commodities leading to strong markets and higher farm gate prices. Unfortunately some of our other sectors have been less profitable. The Red Meat Taskforce Report highlighted in stark terms the loss making situation facing beef and lamb producers, while the pigs and poultry sector struggled as feed costs rose to unprecedented levels”.
Kenneth Sharkey said; “The issue of rising costs is now a massive challenge for the farming and food industry and indeed retailers and consumers. The cost of feed, fuel and fertiliser are all rising dramatically, pushing up the costs of producing food on local farms. It is in all our interests to have sustainable food production in Northern Ireland and the cost issue is going to be a major factor in the year ahead”.
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