Sales of eggs and poultry up 5% and 6% with sector growth likely

SALES of eggs and poultry have risen 5% and 6% over the past year, according to new figures from Bord Bia.

Further growth next year seems likely as Ireland’s 850 egg and poultry farms are expected to adapt new technologies, attendees at yesterday’s Bord Bia poultry and egg conference in Monaghan were told. The Irish retail egg market is worth €79 million annually, while chicken sales are valued at €175m.

The one-day conference, held in association with the Irish Poultry and Egg Industry at the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan, attracted more than 200 delegates ranging from poultry growers and processors to retailers.

Bord Bia chief Aidan Cotter said: “The poultry and egg sector remains a valuable and integral part of the Irish agricultural economy, with output at farm level estimated at €150m in 2009 (€120m from poultry meat and €30m from eggs).

“The sector is a significant employer in rural Ireland with over 6,000 people employed in poultry processing and egg packing and up to a further 850 farms involved in the production of poultry and eggs.”

Dermot Ryan, deputy chief inspector at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food also noted that his department’s Food Harvest 2020 report has plans to “to significantly develop the poultry and egg sector over the coming decade”.

He highlighted the importance of research into new technologies aimed at improving production efficiencies as well as further development of innovative and value-added output as crucial to competitiveness and future growth.