Clare farm incomes fall 60‑70% as drought and costs surge

Income on farms in County Clare has dropped between 60 % and 70 % in 2026 compared with the previous year, according to ICMSA chairperson Michael Dwyer.

Dwyer warned that rising input costs, falling dairy prices and a severe summer drought have made 2026 one of the worst years on record for Clare farmers. He highlighted that fuel, fertiliser, machinery parts and other consumables have all increased in price, while feed prices have remained relatively stable.

The ICMSA leader urged the Government to introduce an income‑volatility measure in Budget 2027, a scheme the association has advocated for a decade. The measure would allow farmers to set aside surplus capital in good years to cushion financial difficulty in lean years.

Dwyer said the combination of a difficult spring, an extreme two‑month drought in East Clare and poor dairy output prices has left farmers “at the mercy of increased input costs” and that “no industry can handle” such a steep decline in income.

Source: Clare Champion. Photo: Jay's Photography / Pexels.