Exports of food, drink up by 37%

FOOD and drink exports to Germany rose by 37.5% year on year in the first five months of this year, according to Bord Bia.

From January to May, Irish food exporters added €52 million to their sales total for the same period of 2010. This growth follows an overall 30% jump for 2010, when combined sales reached €398m.

Ireland’s national food promotion body unveiled these impressive figures yesterday at Anuga, the world’s largest trade fair which continues in Cologne, Germany, until tomorrow. Some 23 Irish food and drink companies — including Dawn Meats, Ashbourne Meats, Kepak, Cahill’s Farm and Slaney Foods — are among the 6,700 exhibitors from 95 countries meeting with 164,000 trade visitors from 174 countries.

Recently appointed Bord Bia chairman Michael Carey said: “Figures for the first half of 2011 mark a further shift in the distribution of Irish food and drink exports, with some 35% now destined for continental European markets. Although the UK will continue to be Ireland’s principal export destination, other eurozone markets, including Germany which is performing strongly with double digit growth, offer the prospect of new expanded opportunities for Irish exporters.”

All sectors of the industry preformed strongly last year, however Irish beef exports more than doubled last year, and dairy exports increased by 55%.

The main exports are dairy, alcoholic beverages and meat. Germany is the largest market for the Kerrygold brand, where it is positioned as the market leader.

Ireland’s food and drink exports are expected to reach a new all-time high of €8.9 billion in 2011, an increase of more than 12%, or almost €1bn, on 2010 levels. This follows growth of €700m in 2010 — leaving Ireland’s food exports in 2011 some 25% ahead of 2009 levels.

Strong global prices are driving export growth, with the FAO food price index 15% ahead of this time last year. Increased volumes of dairy products, pig meat, whiskey, cider, confectionery, sauces/ soups and mushrooms are also boosting revenues. It is estimated volume growth across these categories will account for up to 30% of the total.

Bord Bia chief executive Aidan Cotter said international trade events, such as Anuga, provide Irish companies with a unique opportunity to meet and build relationships with new and existing buyers from all over the world.

“We have undertaken a major pre-event trade marketing and awareness campaign to promote the Irish industry’s presence at the event including targeting over 1,000 key influential buyers to visit the Ireland stand,” he added.