433. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of commercial horticultural growers operating in the State in each year from 2020 to 2026, inclusive; the net increase or decrease in grower numbers since the publication of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023–2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54400/26]

There are circa 1,070 Food Business Operators currently on my Department's Horticulture Food Register. This figure includes potato growers and/or packers. This register captures Food Business Operators offering fresh fruit and vegetables including potatoes for sale or supply regardless of the scale (small or large) of the enterprise. As the Horticulture Food Register is a live register, it is only possible to provide numbers of growers at the time of enquiry.

The metrics for the horticulture sector overall are limited, however, the industry estimates in the region of 200 commercial horticulture growers. To address data gaps this Key Strategic Action 6 of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 is gathering better data and information and better insights on the sector as a whole. To enable the gathering of this valuable information a census of edible horticulture has taken place in 2026 and a census of the amenity sector is currently underway. This information gathering exercise will provide invaluable data and metrics on the sector once the two censuses are complete and the data is analysed.