Bord Bia has revealed that Irish food and drink exports are approaching €10 billion for the first time in 2013, representing an increase of 9% since 2012 and 40% in the last four years with revenues almost €3 billion higher than in 2009. Dairy product and ingredients export values surpassed €3 billion for the first time, while meat and livestock (€3.3billion) and prepared foods (€1.65 billion) all contributed to the positive outcome.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD said, “Export values of almost €10 billion are really impressive, and demonstrate the clear opportunity and benefit of investing in a sector with proven resilience, a significant domestic economic footprint and strong ability to grow. With increasing demand from more affluent consumers in key world markets, there is little doubt that the €12 billion export target set out in the industry-led strategy for the agri sector Food Harvest 2020 is well in sight.”
42% of Irish exports went to the UK, worth approximately €4.1 billion in 2013. Exports in other EU markets increased by 11% reaching €3.2 billion, while exports to Asia and to a lesser extent Russia, contributed positively toward an increase of 6% in the value of trade to international markets, which exceeded €2.6 billion in the period.
© 2013 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson
