Irish food, drink and horticulture exports remain stable at €4.4b

Bord Bia’s recently published Performance and Prospects report 2021/2022 shows that exports of Irish food, drink and horticulture to the UK have remained constant in value at €4.4b (£3.7b), compared to 2020.

Ireland exports about 90% of its food and drink production and, despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the fact that the UK is now operating outside of the EU Customs Union, the performance of the Irish export sector was robust in 2021.

Bord Bia has also published new three-year targets to further contribute to the growth in the value-chain of Irish food and drink exports as part of the launch of its new 10-year Statement of Strategy. The plan envisages a significant expansion in the value growth of Irish food and drinks exports during the period, including an 11% increase in the value of dairy, meat and livestock exports, and a 14% jump in prepared consumer food exports.

Overview of 2021 exports to the UK

• The UK remains a primary export market for Ireland. In 2021, 33% of Ireland’s total food and drink exports were destined for the UK. 34% were destined for international markets outside the UK and EU, while 33% were destined for the EU.
• Two-thirds of Prepared Consumer Foods (PCF) are exported to the UK and experienced a 1% increase to €1.7b (£1.4b) in 2021.
• Global growth for Irish dairy continued, and exports to the UK increased by 1% to €926m (£769m). This performance is positive given the record volumes of product, 460,000 tonnes, moved into the UK in 2020 ahead of expected Brexit-related trading conditions. The UK remains the largest market for Irish cheese exports valued at over €360m (£299m).
• Beef exports retained strong demand, after a slow start in the first quarter. This was due to contingency planning in case of a no-deal Brexit and subsequent stockpiling in the last quarter of 2020. Irish beef exports to the UK were down marginally by 2% to €883m (£734m). The UK is still the largest single market for Irish beef exports.
• Despite Covid-19 and the closure of the UK on-trade bars and nightclubs for a percentage of the year, alcohol saw an 18% increase to €249m (£207m) driven by the growth of in-home consumption, leading to strong increases in sales in the off trade and further increases in sales through online channels.
• Sheep meat has remained consistent with 2020 levels at €68m (£57m).

Donal Denvir, Bord Bia general manager, UK, said: “The continued strong performance of Irish exports clearly demonstrates the reliability and security of the Irish food, drink and horticulture manufacturing base during what was an incredibly challenging year.”

Launching the report, the minister for agriculture, food and the marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, said: “Given the difficult external factors, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and our nearest trading partner the UK moving outside the EU Customs Union, this really was an outstanding export performance by the food and drink sector, supported by Bord Bia.

“Our food and drink producers continue to innovate and seek new markets for their products, and it is truly heartening to see such an impressive performance from Ireland’s largest indigenous industry.”

Click here for the full Export Performance and Prospects 2021/2022 report