The Irish vegetable sector is undergoing a major period of consolidation, according to new information.
The 2009 National Field Vegetable Census has highlighted the ongoing consolidation within sector.
The total production area for field vegetables was 4,590 hectares in 2008 which is an eight per cent increase on 2005 and similar to the area recorded in 1999, according to Mike Neary, manager of the horticulture division within Bord Bia
The census shows that there are now 212 commercial field vegetable growers which is 11 per cent less than 2005 and an indication of the ongoing consolidation within the sector.
The census covers the 2008 growing season and the data was collected by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
In a Bord Bia release, Neary said: “Another key trend is that large scale producers represent a significant and growing proportion of the total production area.
“It is estimated that the largest 50 growers accounted for three quarters of the total field vegetable production area in 2008. Dublin is the most important county for field vegetable production where almost half of the national production area is found.
He added: “In terms of crops both carrots and cabbage are the two most important crops in relation to production area and farmgate value. In 2008 the production area of cabbage was 937ha and carrots at 681ha.”
