The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has published the final official statistics for the Northern Ireland carrier bag levy covering 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. This is the thirteenth year of the levy, which began on 8 April 2013.

The figures are based on data supplied by 2,413 retailers in Northern Ireland, as notified to the department by 30 June 2026. A single retailer can submit returns for more than one outlet, so the 2,413 figure does not equal the number of premises where bags are dispensed.

The statistics cover all bags made of any material, not solely plastic bags. Bags that are exempt from the levy, such as those used solely to contain unpackaged raw food or hot foods and hot drinks, are not included. Retailers are not required to record exempt bag information.

The department cautions that the notified figures will not exactly match total bags dispensed because of the 30 June cut-off for official statistics. Using recent declaration figures for comparison, it estimates the number of bags notified by that date is on average 3 percent lower than the actual total dispensed in the year.

The figures have undergone audit by the Carrier Bag Levy Team, which administers and collects the levy and ensures seller compliance. The statistics are released according to the Statement of Compliance with the Pre-release Access to Official Statistics Order (NI) 2009.

The department intends to publish 2026/27 figures in August 2027. Reports from previous years are available on the department's website.