Bord Bia report shows cattle farms missing out on export boom

Bord Bia has acknowledged the 2017 challenges for cattle farmers, the main farming sector behind Ireland’s continuing impressive food and drink export performance.

Yesterday’s Export Performance and Prospects 2016-2017 report from the food board showed food and drink shipments overseas exceeding €11 billion for the first time ever, having jumped 41% since 2010.

But the report included a warning that higher Irish cattle supplies in 2017, and currency volatility, will create price challenges for the 100,000 or so farms involved in beef.