Balance -21%
(-29 on previous reading)
The Bank of Ireland Agri Pulse for August 2018 found farmers rather downbeat. Compared with April – when the survey was last carried out – sentiment was softer on a number of fronts, including current production, costs, farm profitability and the outlook for market prices.
Drought conditions and renewed Brexit uncertainty over the summer period dampened the mood. Production expectations were up on April though and investment plans were little changed, which suggests that a number of farmers are also looking through present difficulties and keeping an eye on potential opportunities.