Irish food and drink exports reach record €17bn

Irish food and drink exporters enjoyed a milestone year as the value of Ireland’s food, drink and horticulture exports increased by 5% last year to a record €17 billion.

That’s according to Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report for 2024/25 which was published last week.

This performance comes despite enduring global trade challenges caused by geo-political instability, fluctuating inflation and on-going high trading costs.

Higher pricing was the primary driver of growth in 2024, as cost pressures and inflation continued to affect businesses and consumers. However, several categories recorded volume, as well as value growth, most notably within seafood, prepared consumer foods (PCF), and meat and livestock.

The value of Irish dairy exports, which is the largest category of food exports, remained stable at €6.3 billion, despite weather conditions throughout the year affecting grass-growth. Total meat and livestock exports increased by 6% to €4.3bn driven by higher volumes and values across beef, pigmeat and livestock.

The value of drink exports grew by 19% to just over €2.1 billion, with ready-to-drink beverages achieving a threefold increase year-on-year to €235 million. Whiskey exports increased by 13% to a value of more than €1 billion. Exports in the prepared consumer foods (PCF) sector were worth €3.4 billion, which was an increase of 7%, while seafood exports recorded a 9% increase to approximately €595 million.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue praised the “hugely positive performance for the 2024 export value of Irish food and drink.

“This is a significant achievement, given the prevailing impact of cost inflation and market volatility. Despite these ongoing challenges, the sector time and again proves its resilience.

Our food companies, our farmers, fishers, and food and drink producers have, at each stage of the production cycle, contributed to the agri-food sector’s performance in 2024.”

CEO Sentiment Survey

According to Bord Bia’s CEO Sentiment Survey, most Irish food and drink exporters remain optimistic about achieving growth in 2025. Confidence is particularly strong in the European and UK markets, with over two-thirds of respondents anticipating opportunities for expansion in these regions.

Looking at routes to market, eight in 10 respondents (82%) expect growth in the retail sector; half the companies surveyed forecast growth in the foodservice channel and 44% in the manufacturing sector.

Despite these ambitions for growth, global trade concerns remain as more than one-third of businesses also expressed concerns that their competitiveness could decline in the next 12 months. Key risks to competitiveness cited include rising labour costs, sustained cost inflation, difficulties in accessing raw materials, and geopolitical tensions, such as the looming threat of tariffs.

Export destinations

Exports to the EU increased by 4% and were worth almost €5.9 billion. The EU now accounts for 35% of all Irish food, drink and horticulture exports, back from a 36% share in 2023.

France, Germany and Belgium accounted for nearly 40% of total exports, with value increases recorded of 5%, 12% and 12% respectively.

However, the UK continues to be the largest single market for Irish food, drink and horticulture exports, with value up 7% to €5.9 billion.