Bord Bia announces export performance and prospects report
Bord Bia announces export performance and prospects report
Bord Bia has launched its Export Performance and Prospects Report which reflects a 4% increase in exports for 2014 to reach a record high of almost €10.5 billion.
Aidan Cotter, chief executive, Bord Bia outlined the background to the fifth consecutive year of export growth for the food and drink industry. He said that, in 2014, exports grew by 4%, representing an expansion of 45% or €3.2 billion since 2009. The strongest performing sectors were dairy product and ingredients which exceeded the €3 billion mark (+3%), prepared foods (€1.8 billion, +8%) and seafood (€540 million, +8%).
Cotter also highlighted the significant shift in the destinations for Irish exports in 2014 with international markets showing renewed growth, reflected in a 15% increase in trade to stand at €3 billion or 29% of total food and drink exports.
“The industry’s drive to broaden export reach to destinations outside of the EU is paying dividends with growth in emerging and international markets now driving export figures, offsetting the limited growth in our established premium EU markets,” he said.
In March, Bord Bia will host its largest ever Marketplace International event in the Convention Centre Dublin. Some 450 buyers, including 300 from overseas, are expected to participate in one-to-one meetings with in excess of 160 Irish food and drink companies. In addition, over 100 of the international visiting buyers will participate in sector specific three-day itineraries visiting farms and factories nationwide.
