There are currently 16 robots in use in the Irish mushroom sector for harvesting. The move towards automated or semi-automated methods of harvesting in the mushroom sector and wider horticulture sector is a response to challenges in the sector in sourcing and affording labour.
The move towards automation and the use of robots was highlighted in a report from Teagasc this week titled Achievements 2025, which outlined the technical performance of the Irish agri-food sector in 2025.
Commenting on the horticulture sector, Teagasc director Prof. Frank O'Mara said: "The big challenge for the horticulture sector really is labour, both availability and price, and labour is now making up over 40% of total costs in the horticulture sector. We all know labour is scarce. Labour costs went up by 7% in 2025, so there's a huge interest in automation in the horticulture sector."
The mushroom sector is the biggest part of Ireland's horticulture industry, with that sector producing €150 million worth of mushrooms each year. Prof. O'Mara said: "Harvesting by hand makes up over a third of production costs in mushrooms, so we are seeing some of our mushroom producers now deploying robots or semi-automated solutions."
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