The value of Ireland’s food, drink and horticulture exports hit a record high of €17 billion last year according to Bord Bia.
That represents a five percent increase on 2023, according to Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report for 2024/25, published today.
Bord Bia said that higher pricing was the main reason for the growth seen last year, “as cost pressures and inflation continued to affect businesses and consumers”.
“However, several categories recorded volume, as well as value growth, most notably within seafood, prepared consumer foods (PCF), and meat and livestock,” the agency said.
Dairy exports, Ireland’s largest category of food export, remained stable in their €6.3 billion valuation “despite weather conditions throughout the year affecting grass-growth”. Declines in the value of skim and whole milk powder, milk protein concentrate, and milk and cream were offset by an increase in the value of butter exports, according to Bord Bia.
The value of meat and livestock exports increased by 6 percent to €4.3 billion, with increases in the value of beef (€2.8 billion), pigmeat (€490 million) and live trade (€340 million) driven by higher volumes and higher unit prices. While sheepmeat and poultry also saw higher unit prices, overall volumes declined by 23 percent and 4 percent respectively.
Meanwhile, the value of drink exports grew by 19 percent to just over €2.1 billion, with whiskey exports increasing by 13 percent to a value of more than €1 billion.
‘Ready-to-drink’ beverages also saw an increase, and trebled to a value of €235 million.
The UK continued to be the largest single market for Irish food, drink and horticulture exports, with value up 7 percent to €5.9 billion. The total share of exports for the UK in 2024 is estimated as 35 percent – lower than pre-Brexit trading, according to the food agency.
Exports to the EU increased by 4 percent and were worth almost €5.9 billion, with France, Germany and Belgium accounting for nearly 40 percent of the total exports to EU countries.
Exports to international markets increased by almost 5 percent in 2024 to €5.2 billion, mainly driven by a rise in trade with North America of 14 percent to approximately €2 billion.
Dairy exports to Asia declined by 12 percnet in value terms, while exports of pigmeat to China fell below €100 million.
Exports to Africa increased to €950 million, up 10 percent on 2023’s level.
Bord Bia CEO Jim O’Toole said that Bord Bia’s CEO Sentiment Survey shows that “most Irish food and drink exporters remain optimistic about achieving growth in 2025, despite the business environment and operating challenges”.