Exporters get a taste of eastern promise

IF the economy is to break out of its current impasse, it will almost certainly require a sustained uplift in exports by Irish-owned firms, and for this to occur, our exporters must begin to cash in on the growth occurring in emerging market countries.

Brazil, Russia, India, and China have proved to be tough nuts to crack, but there are some encouraging signs from the latest figures for food and drink exports.

For the first time, the value of food and drink exports to Asia has exceeded €500m, reaching €610m in 2013 compared with €470m in 2012.