Agricultural output prices rise

The agricultural output price index rose 0

The agricultural output price index rose 0.4 per cent in October compared with the previous month, new data from the Central Statistics Office showed today.

The input price index, meanwhile, fell 0.2 per cent, leading to the terms of trade index rising by 0.7 per cent in October.

However on an annual basis, figures were still down, with the unadjusted agricultural output price index 13.6 per cent lower at 102.5 in October 2009. The input price index fell 13.2 per cent to 137.3 over the same period. As a result, the terms of trade index fell 0.4 per cent on an annual basis.

Cereals output fell 28.9 per cent year on year, while output in pigs, milk and cattle sectors fell between 18.9 per cent and 13.6 per cent.

Prices for fertilisers, feed, seeds and energy were down by between 30.8 per cent and 10 per cent. In contrast, plant protection products and veterinary expenses rose by 1.8 per cent and 0.7 per cent respectively.

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien is an Irish Times business and technology journalist