Food, drink boost for exports

IRISH food and drink was a major contributor to the economy’s strong export performance in 2010, with export sales growing by 11% to €7.9bn, according to the Bord Bia Performance & Prospects Report published yesterday.

With the sector’s sales growing by €800m last year, some 70% of food and drink manufacturers view their export prospects for 2011 as good or very good, according to Bord Bia’s December 2010 food industry survey, also published yesterday.

Bord Bia puts this optimism down to a more stable consumer environment, reduced exchange rate pressures, improved relative competitiveness and rising global prices for agricultural commodities.