Gross margins increased across most farming sectors in Northern Ireland during the 2024/25 financial year, according to new figures released by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

The department’s annual Farm Performance Indicators report, now in its 23rd edition, shows that 11 of the 13 main farm enterprises recorded higher gross margins compared to the previous year. The data is drawn from farm account information collected in the Northern Ireland Farm Business Survey, which covers a representative sample of farm businesses across the region.

The publication also reveals a wide spread in performance among producers. In the dairy sector, the difference in gross margin per cow between the best and worst performing enterprises reached £1,012.

Alongside enterprise gross margin data, the booklet includes information on costs such as hay, silage and grazing, as well as average fixed costs broken down by farm type. Copies are available free of charge by emailing AEB.EconStats@daera-ni.gov.uk.