Food and drink exports fall 6.5% but Bord Bia predicts recovery in sector

IRISH food, drink and horticulture exports declined by 6.5% last year to €8.16 billion, Bord Bia revealed yesterday.

But it also maintained the industry has the potential to boost annual export returns by more than 20% to reach €10bn by 2011.

Bord Bia chairman Dan Browne, speaking in Dublin at the launch of its performance and outlook report, said the agri-food industry is uniquely positioned to actively contribute to a national drive towards securing sustainable economic renewal.