DAERA Minister welcomes 62.5% surge in Northern Ireland farm incomes for 2024

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has released provisional figures for 2024 indicating a substantial rise in farm incomes across Northern Ireland.

According to the report, Total Income from Farming (TIFF) increased by 62.5%, from £471 million in 2023 to an estimated £766 million in 2024—a 56.2% rise in real terms.

Welcoming the positive development, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said:

“I welcome the total income from farming figure increase between 2023 and 2024. This increase is due to improved market prices for milk, beef and lamb combined with some reduction in feed and fertiliser prices for the 2024 year.”

The report suggests that all individual farm types are expected to see income growth, though the Minister also offered a note of caution on the volatility affecting the sector.

“I appreciate that markets have been particularly volatile over the last five years and changes in farm incomes between years are reflective of this,” he said.

A volatile landscape and a sustainable vision

Minister Muir underscored that while the current figures are encouraging, the underlying issue of unpredictable market conditions remains a pressing concern for the agricultural community.

“Fluctuating market conditions remains a very difficult issue for farmers to address. These fluctuations are mainly due to world markets which are very much outside our control.”

In response to these external pressures, DAERA has been directing efforts towards long-term sustainability and resilience.

“Consequently, my Department focuses effort on helping farmers mitigate cost and price pressures by improving their productivity and resilience, while also addressing their environmental sustainability. These are the goals I have set out within the new Sustainable Agriculture Programme and I would encourage all farmers to avail of the support,” the Minister added.

The Sustainable Agriculture Programme, introduced as part of DAERA’s wider strategic agenda, is designed to help the sector navigate global uncertainties while boosting both economic and environmental outcomes.

The full provisional 2024 agricultural income figures are available on the DAERA website: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/ni-agricultural-incomes-2024