The Irish Horticulture sector received €19 million in supports in 2024 to achieve the goals set out in the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability. If all actions in the strategy are to be implemented, the Irish horticulture sector is expected to grow significantly in the near future, with an anticipated 30% increase in farm gate value rising from €559 million in 2023 to €688 million by the end of 2027, generating more rural employment and thriving local communities.
These supports were delivered through a range of Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine schemes such as:
• the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector
• the EU Producer Organisation Scheme for the Fruit and Vegetable Sector,
• the Schemes of Investment Aid for Innovation and Diversification in Horticulture
• the Horticulture Crisis Fund
The 2025 Schemes of Investment Aid for Innovation and Diversification in Horticulture are currently open. Horticulture growers are reminded that the closing date for receipt of applications under these schemes is midnight, Friday 7 February 2025.
First launched in 2024, these schemes are designed to continue to support increased innovation and diversification among primary producers in the horticulture sector which is one of the Key Strategic Actions set out in the National Strategy for Horticulture.
The five recognised fruit and vegetable Producer Organisations in Ireland with members across the high wire, fruit, field vegetable and mushroom sectors, received financial support valued at €7.8 million under the EU Producer Organisation Scheme for the Fruit and Vegetable Sector in 2024. The various supports provided under the scheme to producers included mitigating climate change, improving product quality, boosting value of the products, preventing and managing crises and increasing the planning of production and concentration of supply, highlighting the benefits for horticulture producers to join or form a Producer Organisation.
Learn more about innovations in Irish horticulture by clicking here.