Offaly carrot grower says vegetable is being sold below sustainable levels

Local carrot growers, including Philip Draper from Birr in Offaly, are warning that the economics of producing the popular vegetable are becoming increasingly unsustainable.

The Irish Carrot Growers Group is highlighting how production costs have risen by approximately 100% since 2020, while retail carrot prices have increased by just 40% during the same period.

Philip Draper is among only nine remaining commercial carrot growers left in Ireland, and a members of the carrot growers' group which represents more than 95% of Ireland's retail carrot supply.

Faced with rising production costs, unsustainable market returns and increasing climate-related challenges, including recent drought conditions, the growers are warning that urgent action is needed to ensure the long-term viability of carrot production.

This warning comes as growers continue to manage the impact of one of the driest summers in recent years, which has increased the need for irrigation of crops by 166%, significantly increasing fuel, labour and operational costs at a time when margins are already under pressure.

According to Teagasc, input costs for field vegetable production have increased by 77% between 2020 and January 2026, but a survey of Irish carrot growers shows that drought-related pressures have added another 23% in costs during the current season.

At the heart of the issue is the widening gap between the cost of growing carrots and the price consumers pay. A kilogram of carrots currently retails for approximately €1.39. Based on an average kilogram containing around ten carrots, that equates to less than 14 cent per carrot.

Growers say the retail price would need to be closer to €1.98 per kilo, or approximately 20 cent per carrot, to provide a sustainable return for producers and support future investments in climate resilience and production. This would equate to a modest increase of just 6c per carrot.

Speaking about the issue, Tom Murray, Chair of the Irish Carrot Growers Group said: "Consumers see carrots as one of the most affordable and healthy foods available, and rightly so.

"However, the reality is that the current economics of producing carrots in Ireland no longer makes sense. The gap between production costs and returns has widened significantly over recent years and that is putting real pressure on growers.

"Ireland is fortunate to have highly skilled carrot growers but the challenge now is ensuring that domestic production remains financially viable and that the next generation of growers has confidence to continue investing in the sector."

The group said carrots remain Ireland's most purchased vegetable, with retail sales of approximately 52,000 tonnes annually and a retail market value of approximately €66 million. Irish growers currently produce approximately 62,000 tonnes of carrots annually on 891 hectares nationwide.