Irish food and drink exports hit record high
Irish food, drink and horticulture exports were worth €17 billion last year, according to Bord Bia – a record high.
The figure represents a 5% increase on 2023, according to its Exports Performance and Prospects Report for 2024/25.
However Bord Bia said higher pricing was the primary driver of export value growth last year, with inflation continuing to impact businesses and consumers.
The value of dairy exports was stable year-on-year but it is still the biggest category, representing €6.3 billion of exports.
Compared to the 2014/15 report, the value of dairy exports has more than doubled.
Meat and livestock exports were worth €4.3 billion last year, according to Bord Bia, which is a 6% increase year-on-year.
Meanwhile the value of drinks exports jumped 19% to just over €2.1 billion.
That was driven by a strong performance by whiskey products – with export values up 13% to more than €1 billion.
Bord Bia also noted significant growth in the emerging ‘ready to drink’ category, which saw export values treble to €235m.
In terms of where Irish food and drink exports were destined, the European Union accounted for €5.9 billion of the total – up 4% year-on-year.
Within that France, Germany and Belgium were the country’s biggest customers.
However the UK continued to represent the single largest market for goods – with exports there worth €5.9 billion.
Exports to North America, meanwhile, were up 14% to €2 billion, Bord Bia said.
Meanwhile, Bord Bia’s CEO Sentiment Survey shows that most Irish food and drink exporters remain optimistic about achieving growth in 2025.
Confidence is particularly strong in the European and UK markets, with over two-thirds of respondents anticipating opportunities for expansion in these regions.
Looking at routes to market, 82% of respondents expect growth in the retail sector. Half the companies surveyed forecast growth in the foodservice channel and 44% in the manufacturing sector.
But Bord Bia said that despite these ambitions for growth, global trade concerns remain as more than one-third of businesses also expressed concerns that their competitiveness could decline in the next 12 months.
Key risks to competitiveness cited include rising labour costs, sustained cost inflation, difficulties in accessing raw materials, and geopolitical tensions, such as the looming threat of tariffs.
Bord Bia’s chief executive Jim O’Toole said the robust performance and sustained success of the Irish agri-food sector is a testament to the industry’s focus on strategic market diversification, investment in sustainable practices, and commitment to world-class quality and traceability standards, evident throughout the supply chain.
“The confidence and continued ambition of the industry is clear in the results of Bord Bia’s CEO Sentiment Survey, showing that most Irish food and drink exporters remain optimistic about achieving growth in 2025, despite the business environment and operating challenges,” he said.
The Bord Bia CEO said that climate change remains the most pressing challenge for the sector.
“Working with our national sustainability programme Origin Green, we must maintain our focus on maximising market value, while also safeguarding our environment,” he said.
“The programme’s emphasis on verified and measurable sustainability outcomes has been instrumental in shaping Ireland’s reputation on the global stage over the past decade and will continue to underpin the resilience and success of Ireland’s agri-food sector in the years to come,” he added.
the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue said it was very encouraging that the annual analysis report from Bord Bia shows a hugely positive performance for the 2024 export value of Irish food and drink at €17 billion.
“Add to this the value of non-edible products and Irish agri-food exports are in the region of €19 billion, a figure approaching a 5% increase on 2023,” the Minister said.
“This is a significant achievement, given the prevailing impact of cost inflation and market volatility. Despite these ongoing challenges, the sector time and again proves its resilience,” he said.
“Our food companies, our farmers, fishers, and food and drink producers have, at each stage of the production cycle, contributed to the Agri-Food sector’s performance in 2024. I know they will continue to do so in the future, underpinned by the strategic insight, marketing and promotion support provided by Bord Bia,” he added.
Article Source – Irish food and drink exports hit record high – Bord Bia – RTE
