At the BioFarm 2024 conference, John Hogan, an agronomist and horticultural consultant, reported that 70% of organic vegetables purchased in Ireland are imported. Hogan, who serves on the horticultural board of Bord Bia and has represented the vegetable sector in the DAFM Horticulture Action Group, addressed the current state and future prospects of Irish organic horticulture.
Despite a significant reduction in the number of commercial horticulture growers from almost 1,300 in 1980 to less than 270 today, the decline in land use for this purpose has not been as drastic. Hogan attributed recent reductions in acreage to improvements in crop quality and yield. He expressed optimism for the organic vegetable sector, pointing out the reliance on imports from countries like England, Holland, Belgium, Spain, and Italy, and identified a market deficit as an opportunity for growth.
With organic fruits and vegetables making up 41% of organic sales in 2020, Hogan sees potential for expansion among Irish growers. The National Organic Strategy aims to decrease imports of organic vegetables to below 50% by 2030. Currently, Ireland has up to 500 organic growers, but most produce on a small scale. There are, however, 13 growers managing larger plots that total 141ha, including a farm over 60ha focusing on vegetables and potatoes.
Hogan highlighted the need for better market coordination and consumer education on seasonality, nutrition, and shorter food chains. He also pointed out specific opportunities in the market for crops like carrots, potatoes, and broccoli, among others. The challenge of land availability was emphasized as a major barrier to sector expansion, alongside the need for more collaborative efforts among growers and long-term commitments to the industry. The conference also covered labor costs and innovative solutions to weed management, including autonomous weeding machines, as significant considerations for organic horticulture in Ireland.
Source: Agriland