FDBusiness.com

The value of Irish food and drink exports has increased by over 8%, or €370 million, during the first six months of the year, relative to the same period last year, according to new figures released by Bord Bia (the Irish Food Board). This increase was driven by a particularly strong performance in beef exports – up by 15% or €140 million, accounting for almost 40% of the total growth. Other strongly performing categories were prepared foods (+15%), and dairy (+4%), while pigmeat (+9%) and beverages (+4%) also recorded solid growth.

Aidan Cotter, chief executive of Bord Bia, comments “The export figures for the first half of the year are particularly impressive at a time when overall exports have fallen by some 6%. Last year, Ireland’s food and drink exports surpassed the €9 billion mark for the first time and the prospects for the remainder of 2013 remain broadly positive with a strong demand for dairy and beef, combined with a more robust prepared foods performance and further steady growth in beverages.”

The UK accounted for over 41% of total food and drink exports during the first half of 2013 driven mainly by higher meat and dairy exports. Exports to other EU markets recovered from a difficult period in 2012 to account for almost 33% of exports up to the end of June as increased meat, dairy, prepared foods and beverage exports boosted trade. Stronger competition from European markets resulted in a slight decrease in the share of trade with international markets; however exports to Asia recorded double digit growth increasing by 15% to reach €270 million.