Record beef exports to Italy

PROJECTED Irish beef exports to Italy of 35,000 tonnes for 2003 represents a record volume.

It exceeds the previous high of 32,000 tonnes achieved in 1999 and is some 75% ahead of last year's levels.

Bord Bia said the growth has been helped over the last year in particular by ongoing developments within the industry to produce beef to exact specification required by premium customers.