Vegetable growers in Kildare severely hit by summer drought - report

Kildare’s vegetable growers are among those dealing with the lasting effects of Ireland’s severe 2026 summer drought, with losses of up to 40% reported in some unirrigated crops, according to a new Teagasc Horticulture sector update.

Kildare was one of the counties at the centre of the drought, with soil moisture deficits reaching between 70mm and 100mm across the main vegetable-growing areas at the height of the crisis in mid-August.

The drought followed Ireland’s hottest summer on record, with the prolonged dry spell placing particular pressure on crops during critical growing stages.

The Teagasc report says the most important dividing line between crop performance was access to irrigation. Only around 30–35% of Ireland’s outdoor vegetable production area has sufficient irrigation capacity.

For growers who had access to water and equipment, the costs were significant. The average cost of a 25mm irrigation application was estimated at €345 per hectare. Carrots, for example, received seven to eight applications in some cases, creating irrigation costs of approximately €2,415 to €2,760 per hectare.

Unirrigated crops suffered substantial losses. Carrots experienced yield penalties of around 25–40%, while cabbage losses reached 30–40% in the worst-affected situations. Courgette production was estimated at just 55–60% of normal levels.

The drought broke during the third week of August, with heavy rainfall bringing soil moisture levels much closer to normal. Teagasc says recovery in the fields has been strong, with some crops now producing above immediate market requirements.

However, the report warns that the return of rain cannot reverse damage caused by failed plantings, reduced plant populations and lost growth earlier in the season.

For Kildare growers, the main concern now is not necessarily a straightforward shortage of vegetables but uncertainty over continuity of supply. Disrupted planting schedules could result in periods of surplus followed by gaps in availability later in autumn and winter.

Winter crops including carrots, parsnips, swedes, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and leeks remain under particular scrutiny.

Teagasc says the experience has highlighted the need for greater investment in irrigation, water storage, pumping equipment and labour capacity. The report argues that the sector’s existing infrastructure was generally designed to cope with dry spells of two or three weeks, rather than the eight- to nine-week drought experienced in 2026.

The report also notes that the 2026 drought comes after another record-hot summer in 2025, strengthening concerns about the long-term resilience of Ireland’s vegetable production.

For Kildare’s growers, the immediate priority is now managing the autumn and winter crops while absorbing the additional costs incurred during an exceptional growing season.