France main eurozone market for Irish food and drinks industry

FRANCE is still the principal eurozone market for Ireland’s food and drink industry, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Brendan Smith has told a business grouping in Paris.

He was speaking at a Bord Bia trade reception in the Irish Embassy in Paris. He also took the opportunity to congratulate Bord Bia on its unique system for tracing the carbon footprint of Irish beef exports.

Mr Smith said: “France remains the leading eurozone market for Irish food and drink products and is one of our biggest customers for lamb, seafood, beef and whiskey. Encouragingly, Irish food and drink exports to France grew by 2.5% in the first eight months of this year and I would like to thank French buyers and Irish suppliers their commitment during 2010.”