Foreign firms yield 75% of exports
The latest annual list of the top 250 exporting companies in the country, compiled by the Irish Exporters’ Association (IEA), shows only three Irish companies in the first 10, in the form of Smurfit Packaging, and food companies Kerry Group and Aryzta. It underlines the key role of foreign direct investment in the economy, which has jumped by €2bn to €11.5bn in the past two years.
Smurfit Packaging is the highest ranked Irish-owned exporter on the list — in fourth position — with €6.5bn worth of exports. But, while there are only three Irish companies in the top 10, there are four homegrown agri-related companies in the top 20.
