Tirlán confirms grain pricing for harvest 2024

In addition, Tirlán confirmed that it will pay out over €3 million in premiums for quality and value-added grains. This includes crops like Gluten-free Oats and HEAR Oilseed Rape, which offer farmers additional returns above standard grain prices.

John Murphy, Tirlán Chairperson said: “The 2024 season saw significant growth in Tirlán's premium grain portfolio, with an emphasis on high-value crops such as Gluten-Free Oats and HEAR Oilseed Rape, benefiting farmers with higher returns. I am very pleased that for the first time, over 50% of our green grain intake has qualified for premium crop payments.

“Despite the challenges of the season, including higher costs and difficult weather, Tirlán’s green grain intake for 2024 is projected to reach 172,000 tonnes. This reflects the resilience and hard work of our grain growers, who are to be commended for their dedication to producing high quality crops.”

John Kealy, Head of Grains at Tirlán, highlighted Tirlán's ongoing efforts to develop its premium grains business, delivering greater value to farmers. “In 2024, we’ve continued to expand our premium grains portfolio. By working closely with our growers, we are ensuring that these crops continue to provide additional returns, particularly in challenging conditions.”

Harvest 2024 Grain Prices

Pricing for Harvest 2024 has been confirmed, with €210/t for green feed barley and €220/t for green feed wheat. Premium crops continue to offer strong returns, with €250/t for Gluten-Free Oats and €505/t for HEAR oilseed rape. 

Tirlán Harvest 2024 Grain Prices
(Price per tonne, excluding VAT)

Note: *Composite prices include standard transport allowances. Prices also include the Trading Bonus Scheme of €10/t, subject to minimum tillage input purchases.

Trading Bonus Scheme

The Trading Bonus Scheme continues in 2024, offering €10/t for all eligible grain supplied, subject to the minimum tillage input criteria. John Murphy, Tirlán Chairperson, emphasised that the Trading Bonus is a recognition of the loyalty of the Co-op’s tillage farmers. 

As announced on 6 February, the Grain Trading Bonus will also be paid to non-shareholders for 2024 harvested crops in recognition of the challenging weather conditions and higher input costs facing farmers that supply their grain to the Co-op. 

Positive developments for Irish Grain

John Murphy highlighted the recent positive announcement by the Malting Company of Ireland (MCI), which is planning to invest in its Cork facility in the coming months.

“This will support the continuing growth in demand for sustainable Irish malt and create value add opportunities for Tirlán tillage farmers who supply malting barley to the facility. The planned investment will expand MCI’s malt output by 60% to a projected 52,000 tonnes per year and will require an additional 25,000 tonnes of Malting Barley, generating significant grain price premiums for Tirlán tillage farmers.”

The Malting Company of Ireland, which is a 50:50 joint venture between Tirlán and Dairygold, contracts some 40,000 tonnes of malting barley every year to produce 32,000 tonnes of malt for the Irish and international brewing and distilling industries. 

John Murphy also highlighted the research from Teagasc on the Tirlán grain pool which was unveiled at the Tirlán Grain Awards in February. This found that Irish grain has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. “The research is the first of its kind using an Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology specifically developed for Irish grain on a wide range of commercially-grown Irish cereals. Accounting for straw incorporation, the study showed the net carbon footprint could be close to net zero.”