Irish incomes up to 1995 levels

By FWi staff

IRISH farm incomes staged a 27% recovery in 2000 to average Ir11,500 (9130) a unit, according to recent figures from the Teagasc state advisory service.

That takes incomes back to levels in 1995, reflecting last years higher prices and increased direct aid payments in the cattle sector.

The annual survey shows about 47,000 farmers had incomes over Ir10,000 (7940), though 50,000 earned less than Ir5000 (3970).

Tillage took over from dairying as the highest income earner in 2000, but the Irish Farmers Association points out farm incomes are still only 63% of the industrial average.