Food producers hope to retain €8.85bn exports

FOOD producers believe they can consolidate 2011’s record €8.85 billion export performance this year, according to Bord Bia chief executive Aidan Cotter.

Irish food and drink exports grew by €1bn last year, reaching €8.85bn. That 12% surge followed 11% growth in 2010, with Irish beef sales growing at almost twice the European average. The top categories were dairy (€2.6bn), meat (€2.59bn), prepared foods (€1.5bn) and seafood (€420 million).

While global food prices soared last year, export volumes accounted for 25% of these Irish gains. While beef output is expected to fall by 3-4% and global food commodity prices are likely to soften in 2012, Ireland’s food and drink exporters believe they can, at the very least, retain the 25% gains of the last two years.