FDBusiness.com

The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine has published its Annual Review and Outlook for 2023, which underlines the critical importance of the agriculture, food and marine sectors to the overall national economy. Irish agri-food exports reached a record €19 billion in 2022 and accounted for 9% of all goods exported.

Indeed, the Food, Drink & Primary Production sector accounted for 40% of all export sales by Irish-owned companies, directly supporting 165,000 jobs, or 6.5% of total employment, predominantly in rural and coastal communities. Dairy generated €6.9 billion in exports, with both butter and cheese exceeding €1 billion, while Beef accounted for €3.1 billion in exports, an increase of €620 million on 2021. Exports of Beverages reached €2.1 billion, with Irish whiskey exceeding €1 billion. Seafood exports were €642 million, a 5% increase in value.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D. said: “Once again, we see the critical importance of the agri-food sector, which is our largest and most important indigenous exporting sector. Despite the many challenges faced in the last number of years by our farmers and fishers, food producers, processors, and the food distribution chain, the sector has demonstrated its adaptability and resilience to continue to deliver safe and nutritious food for Irish and international markets. This is evidenced by the rise in value of agri-food exports last year, to a record €19 billion, which represents an increase of 76% over the past decade, largely driven by value rather than volume.”

He concluded: “The Irish agri-food sector continues to adapt and evolve, operating more efficiently and sustainably year on year. We have huge ambition to be a world leader in sustainable food systems and there is proven demand for food produced to our high standards. I believe that as global demand for food increases there are vast opportunities for the sector on its value driven production trajectory.”