January 26, 2011

Irish poultry export earnings increase

Despite a drop in sales volumes, Irish poultry meat export earnings increased by 9% in 2010, from EUR183 (US$250.62 million) million to EUR200 million (US$273.91 million).

In tonnage terms there was a 10% fall in exports, but stronger prices for fresh and chilled products on continental and international markets offset difficult trade in the competitive value-added UK market.

Bord Bia's Export Performance and Prospects 2010-2011 publication also reports some recovery in domestic production in the second half of 2010, as imports of frozen and processed poultry from places such as Brazil reduced. Similarly, imports from the wider EU fell 14% in response to new regulations on frozen poultry trade.

European broiler prices increased later in 2010 and the overall was just below 2009 levels, says the report. Prices in November were 7% above the previous year, helping offset rising feed prices.

Global poultry production is forecast to grow by 2% in 2011, but higher exports are anticipated from Brazil, Thailand and China. Irish and EU poultry production is expected to remain static, but rising feed costs will have an adverse effect.