May 30, 2013
Strong beef sales boost Ireland's food exports
Over the last three years, strong beef sales have contributed to a 27% value hike in Irish food and drink exports to €9 billion (US$11.7 billion) in 2012, while trade with the UK has risen by 5% over the last year alone to €3.8 billion (US$4.9 billion) or 42% of all exports.
Beef exports to the UK were an estimated 237,000 tonnes (52%), valued at over €910 million (US$1.2 billion) or 48% in 2012, with total beef exports rising 2% to €1.9 billion (US$2.5 billion) on the back of higher prices despite a drop in volume sales to all major markets except Germany.
The figures represent "a very welcome contribution to Irish economic performance in difficult times", said Irish agriculture minister Simon Coveney. "Some of this growth was in new markets, which is particularly welcome."
Food and drink exports to other European markets totalled €2.8 billion (US$3.6 billion), while non-European exports grew by 8% on-year to €2.4 billion (US$3.1 billion) in 2012.
Beef represented the second-biggest sector after dairy, at 21% of food and drink exports, while pig meat was second only to seafood in terms of on-year value growth, rising 15% to €457 million (US$592 million) in 2012. Other sectors included prepared foods at 15% to €1.4 billion (US$1.8 billion); poultry, 2% to €208 million (US$270 million); sheep meat, 2% to €205 million (US$266 million); and live animals, 2% to €217 million (US$281 million).
Pig meat exports to RoI's biggest market, the UK, were valued at €265 million (US$343 million) representing an 8% on-year increase. France and Britain account for 70% of Irish sheep meat exports.
Collectively, Bord BÃa values 2012 meat and livestock exports at almost €3.1 billion (US$4 billion) or a third of food and drink exports, generating growth double that of total exports.
Stronger beef prices helped offset lower finished cattle supplies and live cattle exports, which dropped by a quarter to 160,000 head in 2012. Over 60% of beef exports by volume went into higher-value standard retail, premium foodservice and retail or quick-service markets. Some recovery is expected in live cattle exports in 2013, with beef export availability expected to reach 500,000 tonnes.
For pig meat, a 3% increase in production and a 10% rise in prices boosted export returns, with a slight shift from Continental towards global markets such as China, the US and Russia.
