Agri export target of €10bn ‘well within sight’

Irish food and drink exporters will bid to shoot past the €10 billion mark in 2014, and a target of 50% growth in export values since 2009 could also be in sight.

“With increasing demand from more af fluent consumers in key world markets, there is little doubt that the €12 billion export target set out in the industry-led strategy for the agri sector Food Harvest 2020 is well in sight,” said Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, after Bord Bia yesterday confirmed that 9% growth in 2013 boosted export values to €9,990 million.

Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia said: “The industry is well positioned to exploit the relentless growth in the global demand for food, underpinned by its grass-based production systems and its ability to build its presence on both new and established markets”.