Ending of milk quotas to provide opportunity to be global dairy power

IRELAND is ideally poised to become a global dairy power with the ending of milk quotas in 2015, according to Irish Dairy Board (IDB) chief executive Kevin Lane.

The IDB was responsible for €780m (or 60%) of total Irish dairy exports last year, making it the largest exporter of Irish dairy products. The Irish Exporters Association has recognised the dairy sector’s now pivotal economic role by naming the IDB the Overall Exporter of the Year 2010.

The IDB also won the Food & Drink Exporter of the Year award at the ceremony in Dublin. The award reflects the importance of agricultural exports to the country and to the revitalisation of the country’s economy.

Mr Lane said: “The ending of milk quotas in 2015 offers exciting opportunities for Ireland’s dairy sector to put its undoubted commercial strengths and advantages against those of its international competitors. We are on an exciting journey and this award recognises our contribution thus far.

“This award is in recognition of the excellent work being carried out by our 3,000 plus employees around the world and we are deeply appreciative of this honour. The Agri Food sector represents half of Ireland’s indigenously generated exports and in 2009 accounted for €7 billion worth of export business.

“Despite today’s economic challenges, Irish food exports grew 8% in the first five months of 2010 to almost €3 billion, and the outlook for the remainder of the year is even more positive. The industry, typified by the IDB’s Kerrygold brand — which is now marketed to over 50 countries, is entering a fantastic new period of growth and opportunity. The IDB is committed to building on Ireland’s green image and the environmental sustainability of our natural dairy production system.”

Mr Lane said that the award reflects the impressive performance not only of the iconic Kerrygold brand on export markets, but also the extensive range of cheese and milk powders exported by the group.

Last year’s €780m in dairy exports went to 90 different countries around the globe. On accepting the award, Mr Lane stated that the Irish Dairy Board has provided unstinting marketing and export support to the Irish dairy industry and has generated billions of export revenue for the Irish economy for almost 50 years.