The Horticulture Industry Forum (HIF) was recently formed as an umbrella organisation, for Irish Fresh Produce Growers, to address serious challenges facing the industry. The HIF currently has representatives from five sectors, Vegetables, Mushrooms, Soft Fruit, Top Fruit and Protected Crops. Teagasc, Bord Bia and the IFA are associate members of the Forum. Stiofán Nutty has been appointed as the Co-ordinator of the HIF.
The Horticulture Industry was worth €424m in 2015, which represents a significantly higher output value than that of the 2015 estimate for either Sheep €243 million or Cereals €266 million. It is estimated that 16,000 are employed full time in primary production and downstream businesses. The Retail Fresh Produce Market in Ireland is worth €1.29bn with Fruit and Vegetables representing 14% of the average grocery shopping basket. There has been a drop of over 50% in the number of commercial growers since 1999
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Currently, 5 multiple groups control over 90% of the retail market and there is a high level of price competition between these groups. Irish fresh produce growers have been in a weak position to bargain for a fair price and often obtain prices that just cover the cost of production or fail to cover their production costs. Unless Fresh Produce Growers can soon secure a level of price for their produce that provides an adequate living and the capacity to re-invest in their businesses many will exit the market. Unless the issue of near or below cost selling is effectively addressed Ireland’s capacity to produce fruit and vegetables will diminish significantly in the coming years
Fruit and vegetables grown by Fresh Produce Growers in Ireland deliver major benefits to our economy; have the potential to deliver more employment (particularly in rural areas) and higher levels of exports. Irish grown fruit and vegetables are best positioned to encourage increased levels of daily consumption, improve public health and assist in the battle against obesity
