Total income from farming in Northern Ireland reached £1.03bn in 2025, up 40.5% in current prices and 35.6% after adjusting for inflation from £736m in 2024. This is the first time the measure has exceeded £1bn.

Total gross output increased 12% to £3.62bn while total inputs rose 2% to £2.18bn. Direct payments to farmers totalled £303m, down 1% from 2024, and accounted for just under 30% of sector income.

Beef was a principal driver of the rise. Output value from cattle rose 37% to £898m, despite cattle slaughter numbers falling 4.4% and meat output dropping 3.6%. Producer prices for clean cattle rose 32% to £6.33 per kilogram and for cull animals 54% to £4.88 per kilogram. Longer-term reductions in beef farming have cut supply while consumer demand has remained steady.

Dairying remained the largest single contributor to gross output at £1.2bn, up 11%. Raw milk production rose 8% to 2.8bn litres, and the average farm-gate milk price increased 3% to 42.5 pence per litre.

Egg output value rose 17% to £317m. Sheep output fell 6% to £120m, poultry fell 13% to £304m, and pig output fell 1% to £294m. Fertiliser costs increased 33%, with total spending on fertilisers and lime up 32% to £133m.

Farm Business Income across all farm types is forecast to rise 19% in 2025/26, from an average £56,390 in 2024/25 to £66,840.

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir welcomed the 2025 rise, citing strong market demand for Northern Ireland produce. He noted that market prices have fallen considerably in 2026 while input costs have risen, creating an uncertain outlook. Muir said the Sustainable Agriculture Programme is designed to improve farm business resilience and environmental sustainability.