The value of food and drink exported from Ireland in 2013 grew by 9% or €849m to a record €9.99bn.
The results were presented in Dublin yesterday by Bord Bia’s chief executive Aidan Cotter, who said the value of exports had grown by 40% or €3bn in the past four years.
Dairy (+15%) and beef (+10%) both recorded double digit export value growth. Price increases, rather than volume growth, accounted for 70% of the expansion in both categories. The surge in international dairy prices after the New Zealand drought was a key driver in Ireland’s export growth.
Dairy exports reached a record €3.05bn. A notable growth category was “Prepared Foods”, with export value up 15% to an estimated €1.25bn last year. Sales of fat-filled milk powder, which is included in the “prepared foods” category, jumped 39% last year to €667m. This product, which is made at Glanbia Virginia and Aurivo Ballaghadereen, is experiencing strong sales growth.
Dairy products are now too expensive for many customers, resulting in buoyant demand for powders where some dairy fat is replaced with cheaper vegetable fats.
When fat-filled powders are added to the dairy category, it means that total dairy exports hit €3.7bn.
At €4.1bn and 42% of the total, the UK remains our most important food market. With ready access, a similar culture, growing population and Irish companies in strong positions, it was described by Cotter as “an opportunity too good to ignore”.
China was a notable growth destination for Irish food exports last year, with the value of exports up 43% to €390m. In value terms, it is now Ireland’s number two dairy market, our number three pork market and our sixth most valuable market overall.
Aidan Cotter said that 87% of Irish beef is now produced on Quality Assured farms, up from 78% at the start of the year.
Sector performance
Dairy
Strong global prices drove the value of Irish dairy exports up 15% to €3,045m, the first time above €3bn. Deliveries for 2013 likely to be up 2.5% on 2012. Fat-filled milk powders – included in the “Prepared Foods” category - jumped 39% to €667m. Dairy sales to UK up 15% to €1.1bn, accounting for 37% of dairy exports. Exports to continental EU up 25% to €875m, accounting for 29% of total exports. Butter exports up 10%, with strong sales to Belgium, France and Germany.Beef
Value of beef exports up 10% to €2,090m on the back of 4% rise in average prices and 7% higher supplies (1.5m head).Average carcase weight down by 3% on previous year.Export volumes 470,000 tonnes.Proportion of exports destined for EU markets remained at 99%. Beef exports to the UK estimated to have risen 5% to 250,000 tonnes, or 53% of the total.Beef exports to UK worth an estimated €1.1 billion in 2013 (+€90m on 2012).Sheepmeat
A 7% rise in sheep output helped offset 4% lower carcase weights and a marginal drop in prices to leave export value 4% higher at €220m.Output expanded for third year in a row to 2.61m head. New season lamb output lower – hoggets numbers up 26%.Fodder crisis led to 4% lower lamb weights. Total production up 3% to 55,000t.Domestic consumption down, leading to exports volumes up 5% to 44,000t. Exports to UK down 25%.Growth in exports to Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Hong Kong, Tunisia and Switzerland.Pigmeat
Slaughter numbers at export plants down 2% to 2.84m due to higher feed costs and blue ear outbreak. Production estimated to have fallen 2% to 235,000t.Imports up 3% to an estimated 84,000 for the year. Export volume down 2% to 177,000t.Average price up 6%, with export value up 3% to €525m.Exports to UK static at 77,000 tonnes, accounting for 44% of volumes. Exports to continental EU down 10% while exports to international markets were up 7% to 65,000t. Click here for analysis by Agribusiness Editor Eoin Lowry on the outlook for each sector.
The value of food and drink exported from Ireland in 2013 grew by 9% or €849m to a record €9.99bn.
The results were presented in Dublin yesterday by Bord Bia’s chief executive Aidan Cotter, who said the value of exports had grown by 40% or €3bn in the past four years.
Dairy (+15%) and beef (+10%) both recorded double digit export value growth. Price increases, rather than volume growth, accounted for 70% of the expansion in both categories. The surge in international dairy prices after the New Zealand drought was a key driver in Ireland’s export growth.
Dairy exports reached a record €3.05bn. A notable growth category was “Prepared Foods”, with export value up 15% to an estimated €1.25bn last year. Sales of fat-filled milk powder, which is included in the “prepared foods” category, jumped 39% last year to €667m. This product, which is made at Glanbia Virginia and Aurivo Ballaghadereen, is experiencing strong sales growth.
Dairy products are now too expensive for many customers, resulting in buoyant demand for powders where some dairy fat is replaced with cheaper vegetable fats.
When fat-filled powders are added to the dairy category, it means that total dairy exports hit €3.7bn.
At €4.1bn and 42% of the total, the UK remains our most important food market. With ready access, a similar culture, growing population and Irish companies in strong positions, it was described by Cotter as “an opportunity too good to ignore”.
China was a notable growth destination for Irish food exports last year, with the value of exports up 43% to €390m. In value terms, it is now Ireland’s number two dairy market, our number three pork market and our sixth most valuable market overall.
Aidan Cotter said that 87% of Irish beef is now produced on Quality Assured farms, up from 78% at the start of the year.
Sector performance
Dairy
Strong global prices drove the value of Irish dairy exports up 15% to €3,045m, the first time above €3bn. Deliveries for 2013 likely to be up 2.5% on 2012. Fat-filled milk powders – included in the “Prepared Foods” category - jumped 39% to €667m. Dairy sales to UK up 15% to €1.1bn, accounting for 37% of dairy exports. Exports to continental EU up 25% to €875m, accounting for 29% of total exports. Butter exports up 10%, with strong sales to Belgium, France and Germany.Beef
Value of beef exports up 10% to €2,090m on the back of 4% rise in average prices and 7% higher supplies (1.5m head).Average carcase weight down by 3% on previous year.Export volumes 470,000 tonnes.Proportion of exports destined for EU markets remained at 99%. Beef exports to the UK estimated to have risen 5% to 250,000 tonnes, or 53% of the total.Beef exports to UK worth an estimated €1.1 billion in 2013 (+€90m on 2012).Sheepmeat
A 7% rise in sheep output helped offset 4% lower carcase weights and a marginal drop in prices to leave export value 4% higher at €220m.Output expanded for third year in a row to 2.61m head. New season lamb output lower – hoggets numbers up 26%.Fodder crisis led to 4% lower lamb weights. Total production up 3% to 55,000t.Domestic consumption down, leading to exports volumes up 5% to 44,000t. Exports to UK down 25%.Growth in exports to Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Hong Kong, Tunisia and Switzerland.Pigmeat
Slaughter numbers at export plants down 2% to 2.84m due to higher feed costs and blue ear outbreak. Production estimated to have fallen 2% to 235,000t.Imports up 3% to an estimated 84,000 for the year. Export volume down 2% to 177,000t.Average price up 6%, with export value up 3% to €525m.Exports to UK static at 77,000 tonnes, accounting for 44% of volumes. Exports to continental EU down 10% while exports to international markets were up 7% to 65,000t. Click here for analysis by Agribusiness Editor Eoin Lowry on the outlook for each sector.
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