Horticulture Industry Forum (HIF)

The Horticulture Industry was worth €639m at farmgate in 2024 (higher than cereals or sheep) 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 €1.3bn 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.

The HIF Sub Committee, chaired by Orla McManus, meets once a month and the Forum, co-chaired by Minister Healy-Rae and Orla McManus, meets twice a year. On 12^th November 2025, all growers were invited to an open meeting of the Forum at Backweston Campus.

107 growers and stakeholders attended and were given updates from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Irish Farmers’ Association and Bord Bia. Growers also received a presentation on the midterm review of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027.  

Copies of the agenda, presentations and minutes of the meeting are available to download here.

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.

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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.

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The HIF Sub Committee was instrumental in the development of the Government’s National Strategy for Horticulture and leads the implementation of the eight Key Strategic Actions it identified.

Following a review of horticulture course availability and suitability for a modern dynamic industry (under Key Strategic Action 4), it was agreed that a Horticulture Education Leadership Group (HELG) be set up to drive forward changes to curricula and engage with education providers (and growers) to promote the sector to potential students. The HELG reports to the HIF subcommittee

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