Last year was a record year, in terms of revenue, for Elphin Mart as its sales turnover reached €27.7 million.

Despite being forced to navigate a new way of doing business because of, and through, the global Covid-19 pandemic, the mart recorded its best year yet.

A statement from the mart revealed that the 2021 sales turnover of €27.7 million marked an increase of 66% when compared to 2019 figures, in a pre-Covid-19 world.

And when compared to 2020, mart sales were up 5% and 40% for cattle and sheep, respectively

Cattle sales to Northern Ireland increased by 50%, relative to 2020.

The mart's newly appointed chair, Bernard Donohue, has welcomed this continued success for shareholders and loyal customers.

“Elphin has proudly served the farmers of Roscommon, and beyond, since 1961 and I am delighted to announce that 60 years on, sales reached this record level in 2021, despite initial concerns about the impact of Covid-19," he said.

The prolonged dominance of Covid-19 in society meant that home-cooking increased, which had a knock-on effect on mart trade.

He explained:

Going forward, he said, he will ensure that the mart stays relevant in an evolving world.

"We all have a role to play in delivering a sustainable world, and Elphin Mart will continue to play its part in this regard," he said.

The board of Elphin Mart has expressed its thanks to outgoing chair, Pat Dockery; outgoing mart manager, Gerry Connellan; and outgoing mart secretary, Carmelita Caslin, for their "outstanding work, commitment and drive over the past number of years".

Recently appointed mart manager, Kevin Caslin is a Roscommon native who worked with Dawn Meats in Ballyhaunis, prior to joining the team at Elphin Mart.

Commenting on the record results, he also thanked the board, shareholders and loyal customers "who continue to make the mart the success it is today".