Irish Food Exports Increase by 8.6% in First Half of 2013

26 July 2013 --- The value of Irish food and drink exports has increased by over 8%, or €370 million, during the first six months of the year, relative to the same period last year. This increase was driven by a particularly strong performance in beef exports – up by 15% or €140 million, accounting for almost 40% of the total growth.

Other strongly performing categories were prepared foods (+15%), and dairy (+4%), while pigmeat (+9%) and beverages (+4%) also recorded solid growth.

Commenting on the outcome, Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia said "The export figures for the first half of the year are particularly impressive at a time when overall exports have fallen by some 6%. Last year, Ireland's food and drink exports surpassed the €9 billion mark for the first time and the prospects for the remainder of 2013 remain broadly positive with a strong demand for dairy and beef, combined with a more robust prepared foods performance and further steady growth in beverages."

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney T.D. added 'These results are continued evidence of the strong performance and growth in Agri food industry. Even during what has been a difficult year for the sector we a still seeing strong growth in our food and drinks exports with a positive outlook for the coming months. I would like to congratulate all involved in the industry following the very encouraging results.'

According to Mr. Cotter "The performance of Irish beef exports in the first half year has been particularly striking, comprising a volume growth of almost 10% and price growth of 5%, driving the value of beef exports to reach almost €1.1 billion. The higher volume, which is set to continue through this year and into 2014, was anticipated, and follows a cyclically low volume in 2012."

"The price growth on the other hand is reflected in prime Irish cattle currently reaching 109% of corresponding EU prices, up from 98% at the beginning of the year. This has been driven largely by strong demand from the UK, Ireland's largest beef market, during a period strongly marked by the contamination of processed beef products and issues of consumer trust" he added.

The resilience of the beef market may also be associated with the strong demand for cattle from the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme, whose membership has now risen to 36,400 producers. Today, some 85% of Irish beef production is being sourced from approved farms, up from 78% in 2012, with applications for membership in the year to date up by 135% to 5,700. The sharp rise reflects a doubling of the bonus paid by beef processors for cattle from approved farms.

In the meantime, there are signs of a continuing recovery in the processed beef segment of the UK market. Retail sales of fresh and frozen burgers and grills, were 17.8% higher for the four weeks ending 7th July compared with the corresponding period a year ago. Earlier, in the period to mid-April, in the midst of the horsemeat crisis, sales of this category had dropped by as much as 43.2%.

Stronger global dairy product prices, which in most cases were more than 20% ahead of year earlier levels, helped offset lower milk intake due to poor grazing conditions for much of the spring. Dairy exports increased by €55 million to exceed €1.3 billion. Prospects for the immediate period ahead remain positive with much thereafter depending on the level of supply response to the current strong global prices.

Despite the ongoing competitive challenges faced by prepared foods exporters the value of trade recorded a rise of 15% (€94 million), on the disappointing levels recorded in the first half of 2012, to reach approximately €730 million. Trade was driven by a strong increase in the value added dairy products to emerging markets. Beverage exports recorded further steady growth led by whiskey and cream liqueurs. For the period January – June, the value of exports is estimated to have increased by 4% to reach €555 million. Seafood recorded modest export growth of 2% over the period, following strong double digit increases over the previous two years. Tighter supplies across some key species and more stable prices led to exports growing marginally to €275 million. Weaker cereal prices offset some growth in mushroom exports to leave edible horticulture and cereal exports at €108 million, 5% below year earlier levels

The value of pigmeat exports was boosted by an increase of more than 10% in average pig prices, which helped offset a drop of 1% in output levels, to reach €250 million. The recent softening in global grain prices has also brought some welcome relief to pig producers. Stronger sheepmeat output, particularly in the first quarter helped offset a weakening in lamb prices. Overall, the value of exports was 8% higher at €105 million, compared to €97 million for the same period last year. Finally, the sharp recovery in live cattle exports helped boost the value of livestock exports by more than 20%.

The UK accounted for over 41% of total food and drink exports during the first half of 2013 driven mainly by higher meat and dairy exports. Exports to other EU markets recovered from a difficult period in 2012 to account for almost 33% of exports up to the end of June as increased meat, dairy, prepared foods and beverage exports boosted trade. Stronger competition from European markets resulted in a slight decrease in the share of trade with international markets; however exports to Asia recorded double digit growth increasing by 15% to reach €270 million.

Later this year, buyers from China, India and other countries in the Asian region will be among 180 international food and drink buyers at Bord Bia's Global Sustainability Conference, scheduled to take place in the Convention Centre, Dublin on Thursday 26th September. Over 80 of these buyers will also participate in Bord Bia organised itineraries in advance of the conference. The event, which is expected to attract in the region of 500 delegates, including 300 from overseas, will feature speakers from Nestle, PepsiCo, Mars, World Wildlife Fund, The World Bank, McDonalds and Tesco and a high level panel representing Ireland's dairy, alcohol, meat and seafood industries.