The drop in milk prices has taken £220m out of the Northern Ireland economy this year, it has been claimed.
Pressure on the beef, cereal and vegetable sectors means the total reduction in spending power could be almost double that figure.
The claim was made by the head of a body set up by the Northern Ireland Executive to oversee expansion in the agri-food industry.
Tony O’Neill said the food industry was Northern Ireland’s “economic priority”.
