Exceptional growth in dairy exports drives agri-foods surge

DAIRY export increases of 47% in an overall 19% surge in agri-food exports in the first five months of 2011 have given the economy a welcome lift, according to both Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton and IFA president John Bryan.

The latest Central Statistics Office data shows overall agri-food exports have risen over 19% for January to May.

The total exports of food and live animals came to €3.15 billion, up half a billion euro on the same period in 2010.