Food sector ‘to create 30,000 jobs’

Ireland’s food industry will create 30,000 new jobs by 2020, it was claimed yesterday.

Business group Food and Drink Industry Ireland maintained the right government policies would ensure the sector will also deliver ambitious exports of €12bn within the next eight years.

One in eight jobs — 230,000 — is already linked to the country’s agri-food sector, which spends almost €8bn on goods and services each year. Director Paul Kelly said the food and drink sector is deeply embedded in the Irish economy.