Food and drink exports more than 8% higher than same time last year

THE value of food and drink exports for the first five months of 2010 was €3 billion, more than 8% higher than the same period last year.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith described the growth as particularly encouraging when he presided at the first meeting of the high level Food Harvest Implementation Group.

He said this strong recovery in export markets, particularly in the key dairy and beef sectors, highlights the tremendous potential for developing and expanding exports with consequent benefits for employment.

Describing export prospects for the remainder of this year as extremely positive, he said the implementation of over 200 actions in the Food Harvest report is very important.

Mr Smith said the implementation phase is starting at an opportune time and the first meeting of the group was convened to both continue the momentum following the report’s publication and to ensure that the growth evident in the first part of 2010 is built upon. He said he was committed to lead and drive the implementation of the report and was determined to ensure a fully joined-up and coherent response to the task.

Mr Smith said he also intends to convene other formations to allow farmers, co-ops and food companies to step up to the plate and demonstrate in a practical way their determination to contribute fully to this joint national effort.

Food Harvest 2020 sets out a cohesive, strategic plan for the agri-food sector to leverage the new opportunities that are predicted to emerge in the period to 2020.

Mr Smith told the recent Agricultural Science Conference that these opportunities arise primarily from our ability to produce high quality products using environmentally sustainable production methods.

“The ending of EU milk quotas in 2015, presents us with a once in a lifetime opportunity to significantly grow our milk output and to achieve a step-change in the scale of our dairy sector,” he said.

Besides outlining the opportunities, he said the Harvest Food Committee set a number of challenging but achievable growth targets.

The principal targets are to grow food exports and beverages by one-third to €12 billion; to increase milk production by 50%; and to add 20% to the value of the beef sector.

In addition the sector’s cost competitiveness must improve by 20% relative to our competitors and the industry spend on R&D must also double.

“I firmly believe we can achieve these targets and I am fully committed to my role in realising this vision.

“However, I believe it will require the same high level of commitment and collaboration from all players in the sector, as well as real determination to take the very definite steps required to ensure that we achieve these targets,” he said.