IFA President Joe Healy said the current dry weather is causing problems for farmers who rely on solely on rainfall for grass and crop growth.
On Monday he said: “We are dealing with a once-in-a-generation weather event which is posing really difficult challenges for some farmers.
Lettuce and other vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower could be also face short supply as high temperatures and little rainfall can effect production.
“Crop losses look inevitable with growers facing a situation where winter crops in the ground are stressed, and spring crops planted about eight weeks ago have not had any rain since” Mr Healy added.
“The continuing trend of low prices on the one side and increasing input prices on the other is placing cereal and vegetable production in this country under threat.
“All stakeholders will have to sit up and take note of the difficulties farmers are facing and realise that they must work with their growers to sustain them through this difficult period.” Graham Cunningham, a buyer for Total Produce Food Service, said: “I’ve spoken to local growers who have said if it doesn’t rain soon there will be shortages of produce, definitely.
“They seem to be kept going for now, but they’re taking it day by day.
“If there is shortages, companies like ours are forced to import produce from abroad which could have a knock on effect in price eventually.” Very warm and sunny this afternoon and evening with highest temperatures of 22 to 27 degrees in relatively low humidity.
Northerly breezes will keep temperatures slightly cooler along coastal areas of Ulster and Connacht.
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) July 2, 2018 Irish Water has agreed to accommodate farmers impacted by reduced water supply from public water sources, to ensure they have sufficient water for animals and other needs on farms.