Food prices will have to increase to keep in line with production costs otherwise farmers face a loss-making situation, say Ireland’s biggest farming body.
Production costs and agricultural output for farmers over recent months have risen sharply backed by the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
Irish Farmers’ Association president Tim Cullinan believes food prices will have to go up. “If production costs are going up, absolutely food costs are going to have to go up as well,” he added.
“Farmers cannot continue producing food at a loss-making situation. If we look at the Teagasc figures, 30 per cent of farmers are viable at the moment. It’s very important that farmers can get a proper return from the market place.”
Mr Cullinan claims the Government needs to start engaging with farmers rather than talking at them.
He dismissed recent visits made by Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to more than 30 marts over recent months as “an exercise in the Minister talking at farmers”.
LSL News.