Press Statement: Minister Healy-Rae underlines the importance of supporting Irish fruits and vegetable produce

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Healy-Rae TD stated: I was very disappointed to learn this week that one of Ireland’s major carrot growers is ceasing production. This concerning news underlines the fact that everyone along the food chain has a responsibility to support Irish production and producers - from the supermarkets to the consolidators to the consumers. The reality is that we must all seek out Irish produce when buying fruit and vegetables and be prepared to pay a price that will sustain our local horticultural producers. Consumers rely on supermarkets and the consolidators that serve them to do the right thing and pay fair prices to growers for their produce. With a sustainable price for produce there is an opportunity to simultaneously support Irish growers and reduce Ireland’s reliance on imports.

As part of Ireland’s National Strategy for Horticulture, the IFA is leading on the development of a retail charter which is designed to improve long term relationships and better understanding between growers and supermarkets. I understand that the development of the charter is progressing and I urge all parties to progress this good work. The intention is that the charter will then be signed with consolidators.

As a businessman myself I genuinely appreciate the challenges that growers face – with extreme weather events a particular challenge. Last year we had Storm Éowyn, this year we have had relentless rain which has increased the costs of getting root crops out of the land.

My Department funds a number of supports for horticulture growers – through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector, Scheme of Investment Aid for Innovation and Diversification in Horticulture and also through the Producer Organisation scheme which provides EU supports for investments, research and agronomy for growers of fruit and vegetables.

Good data is critical for running a business and developing an industry. My officials are currently conducting the second annual online census of the horticulture sector. Without accurate statistics we cannot develop informed policy and supports. All the data collected will be aggregated and anonymised and the questions have been simplified so that it only takes a few minutes to complete. This is our opportunity to build an accurate picture of which crops are being grown in Ireland and to what value.

I would urge all growers to complete the census at https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/HorticultureCensus2025. The deadline is 31 March 2026.