Bord Bia: Irish Poultry and Egg Industry Remains Resilient

06 Nov 2014 --- The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Tom Hayes T.D. today delivered the opening address to representatives of the Irish poultry and egg industry, meeting in Monaghan for Bord Bia’s seventh biennial Poultry and Egg Conference.

The theme of this year`s conference is “Poultry, Protein, Profit - Delivering a sustainable future”. The conference will receive presentations from Bord Bia and other Irish and overseas experts. The morning and afternoon sessions will also include open discussion on the challenges facing the sector and will be chaired by Mr. Eddie Downey, President of the IFA and Mr. Matt Dempsey of the Agriculture Trust respectively.

Minister Hayes said that “The sector remains a valuable and integral part of the Irish agricultural economy and that it is possibly the most dynamic in terms of evolving and meeting the challenges it faces. Output at producer prices in 2013 amounted to €131 million and the value of poultry meat exports amounted to €234 million. On the back of increasing demand for poultry protein and low feed costs, the outlook for the sector is largely positive for the remainder of 2014 and into next year”.

The Minister said that in this very competitive sector where Ireland is over 100% self-sufficient it is important to have the edge and Bord Bia`s Quality Assurance Scheme provides this on the shelves. “Bord Bia estimates that over 90% of poultry meat produced on the island of Ireland is quality assured and the inherent added value this gives to the product does not escape the consumer” he said.

Minister Hayes went on to say “While the Rural Development Plan has not yet been approved, my department has included a Knowledge Transfer element for the poultry sector. In addition, some of the monies under TAMS or on-farm modernisation schemes have also been earmarked for the sector.”

In Ireland, consumption of poultry meat accounts for a third of total meat consumption or almost 26kg per capita per annum, Ireland represents one of the highest levels of consumption across Europe.

The poultry protein category continues to benefit from consumers switching into the category. Since last year, egg sales have increased by approximately 6% to €98 million in 2014, while the value of chicken sales has risen by 9% to €200 million in the same period.

Ireland exported 98,000 tonnes in product weight of poultrymeat to 39 markets in 2013. Chicken accounts for 56% of the value of exports, with duck accounting for 26% and turkey accounting for the remainder. The UK market accounts for 70% of shipments while other key markets include France and the Netherlands. For the first six months of 2014, exports were 11% higher on 2013.

Irish consumers currently spend €85 million per year on eggs (165 eggs per capita each year) with 54% buying eggs every week, an increase of 11% on last year. There are almost 240 producers involved in egg production in Ireland. Approximately 544 million eggs are produced annually leaving Ireland 85% self-sufficient in egg production. According to a Bord Bia study carried out in October 2013, since 2011 37% of younger people (between the ages of 25-45) in Ireland are eating eggs as a main evening meal, whilst lunches featuring eggs as a main ingredient have increased by 14% since 2011. The study found that 85% of those questioned consume eggs at home at least once a week (up 5% since 2011); with 68% enjoying eggs at least 2-3 times per week.

With almost 96% of all poultry and egg producer members of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme, a strong and resilient home market is critically important for the success of the industry. Since 2006, consumer awareness of Bord Bia’s Quality Mark has grown from 62% to over 90% this year. Bord Bia will continue to work with all members of the industry to promote Bord Bia Quality Assured poultry and egg products, and over the coming weeks will promote the vast range of Quality Mark produce to increase awareness and purchase frequency during the Christmas season.

The conference will provide a forum for the sector to openly address critical issues facing the industry. Key topics from feed market prospects and sustainable poultry production to retailer and consumer trends will be covered along with developments within the egg and poultry meat sectors. The line-up of expert speakers includes Mark Williams, British Egg Industry Council; Dr. Aline Veauthier, WING, University of Vechta; Graham McLean, IGD; Jamie Nolan-Miralles, INTL FCStone Ltd. and Rob Meadley, Brown & Co.