Budget 2025 Did Not Deliver for Horticulture – IFA
IFA Fruit and Vegetable Chair Niall McCormack has criticised the lack of investments allocated for the horticultural sector in the Budget 2025 announcements earlier this week. This year the Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector and the Investment Aid for Innovation and Diversification in Horticulture schemes received combined funding of €8.5 million compared to €10 million and €1.35 million respectively in last year’s budget. This marks a 25% decrease in funding supports for the horticulture industry since last year.
Farmers who declared field grown crops in 2024 on their Basic Income Support for Sustainability application will receive a payment of €100 per hectare under the supports announced in Budget 2025. Despite being a steppingstone in the right direction this will do little to alleviate the pressure of soaring input costs in this sector.
The increase in minimum wage announced as part of Budget 2025 due to be implemented in January will badly affect the horticultural sector as their profit margins will be eroded significantly.
The future of the horticultural industry that has been struggling for many years looks grave as it continues to lose growers which are vital to its survival.
