October 20, 2004

Irish Beef Exports to France Set to Increase

Irish beef exports to France are rising and are set to grow strongly in the next few years following a widening in the French beef import deficit.

French consumption is now outstripping domestic production, thereby requiring more imports. Irish beef is now back on French supermarket shelves for the first time after an absence of eight years, as retailers begin to supplement their range of French product.

Irish food and drinks exports to France were valued at E352 million for 2003 with meat accounting for almost half of total sales. This is followed by dairy exports at 22%.