Last year was the strongest year on record for Irish meat exports against a difficult backdrop, with meat exports worth €3.8bn, Bord Bia has revealed at its Meat Marketing Seminar.

Meat exports accounted for 30% of Irish food and drink exports in 2017.

Bord Bia figures show that beef exports grew by 5% to €2.5bn, poultry exports rose by 3% to €29m, pigmeat exports jumped 14% in value to €712m, while lamb exports saw an increase of 12% to €274m.

It found that there were strong performances in the UK and international markets, and generally robust performances across continental Europe.

The UK figures are noteworthy given the slippage in sterling since 2016, while international developments show the extent of the opportunities out there.

Speaking at the seminar, Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy said: “Developments such as increased market access this year, set alongside trade figures, can leave us in no doubt about our meat industry’s ability to be competitive globally.

“Population growth, growing consumer affluence and greater demand for meat are creating a long-term opportunity for us, while Bord Bia’s commitments to quality, sustainability and consumer insight mean we’ve never been better placed to capitalise on them.

“Bord Bia is working strategically with the industry to anticipate and respond to the new market realities when faced with Brexit and other challenges.”

Marketing strategy

Bord Bia also announced at the seminar that it is devising a marketing strategy for the meat industry.

The strategy is being developed in the context of a number of key factors and challenges which are and will impact on the industry over the next period.

These include:

  • The impact of Brexit.
  • International trade deals.
  • Access to new markets.
  • Environmental challenges.
  • Changing consumer attitudes and trends.
  • Bord Bia said the aim of the plan is to provide strategic guidance to the Irish meat industry for the next five years.

    A strategy steering group representing key industry stakeholder and agencies has been established which will input to the strategy as it evolves for beef, lamb, pigmeat and poultry.

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