Food and drink exports hit €10.5bn

Irish food and drink exports grew 4% last year to reach a record high of almost €10.5bn, Bord Bia has revealed in its annual performance and prospects report.

Chief executive Aidan Cotter said the fifth consecutive year of export growth represented an expansion of 45%, or €3.2bn, since 2009.

The strongest performing sectors were dairy product and ingredients which exceeded the €3bn mark (+3%), prepared foods (€1.8bn + 8%) and seafood (€540m +8%).