The Northern Ireland farming industry saw profits surge by 36% in real terms last year, reaching more than \u00a31bn for the first time. <\/p>\n
The profit is calculated by assessing the value of output and subsidies and subtracting the cost of production and finance. <\/p>\n
Total output was up by 12% to \u00a33.6bn, while input costs increased marginally to \u00a32.2bn. <\/p>\n
Farming profits are volatile, influenced by external factors like global markets and the weather. <\/p>\n
High prices for beef and milk <\/p>\n
The overall performance in 2025 was heavily influenced by developments in the beef sector which saw prices rise to record levels. <\/p>\n
Beef farmers saw the value of their output rise by 37% to just under \u00a3900m, despite the amount of beef being produced falling slightly. <\/p>\n
The increase in beef prices reflects longer term trends in the industry across the UK and Europe. <\/p>\n
Farmers have been getting out of beef farming after years of low profits and tighter regulation. <\/p>\n
That has led to fall in supply which coupled with steady consumer demand has seen prices rise. <\/p>\n
The other strongly performing parts of Northern Ireland farming in 2025 were dairy and egg production. <\/p>\n
Both those sectors have seen significant consolidation and investment over the past decade. <\/p>\n
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) has forecast that at the individual farm level, profits are likely to be up by 19% in 2025\/26. <\/p>\n
Across all farm types that would mean from an average \u00a356,390 in 2024\/25 to \u00a366,840 in 2025\/26. <\/p>\n
The Agriculture Minister, Andrew Muir, cautioned that the strong performance is unlikely to be sustained through this year. <\/p>\n
He said: “The agriculture sector as a whole performed strongly in 2025 with high prices for most commodities particularly milk and beef. <\/p>\n
“While these results are positive, I recognise that market prices have fallen considerably in 2026 while input costs have risen with an uncertain outlook for the period ahead.” <\/p>\n
Just under 30% of the profit in 2025 came from public subsidy to farmers. <\/p>\n
That is low by historical standards; in lean years the majority, or even the entirety, of the sector’s profits have been accounted for by subsidy. <\/p>\n
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