Irish cheese exports to France grow threefold in two years

Exports of Irish cheese to France have increased threefold in two years, according to Bord Bia figures.

They rose by some 8% in value terms (2% in volume) in 2015 compared to last year. Some 50 Irish farmhouse cheesemakers now produce more than 150 types of cheese. Earlier this month, Bord Bia’s office in Paris welcomed 40 influential French journalists and bloggers to a pairing of Irish Craft Beers and Irish Farmhouse cheeses.

Elisabeth Pierre, a French beer specialist and food and drink writer, selected and paired the Irish cheeses and beers for tasting by the group. Exports of beer to France increased by 18% in volume terms in the current year to September, compared with last year.

There are now almost 60 production craft breweries in Ireland, and some 10 ‘brand owners’ in Ireland, whose liquid is produced under contract by a brewery. This is a 500% increase on the facilities that operated in 2012. Current export markets include the US, Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Poland, Russia and Scandinavia.