€19bn agri-food exports target

Farmers and the agri-sector are to grow exports by 85% to €19bn over the next decade under Food Wise 2025, the latest blueprint for the industry. Growth will be driven chiefly by expansion in dairy, beef and seafood. This will look to generate an additional 23,000 direct jobs in the sector.

The strategy warns that profitability and viability of farm enterprises will remain a concern. Both will be driven by productivity improvements through cutting-edge sustainable technologies.

On dairy, the strategy wants more focus on added-value products. It calls for more collaboration in market research, product development and marketing.

On beef, it warns that it is important to try to at least maintain suckler cow numbers. This requires improved profitability at farm level through maximising returns from penetration of premium markets.

On tillage, there will be growth opportunities in barley and malt for distilling and for oats.

The strategy recommends measures to manage price volatility:

Processors should prioritise the development of fixed-price contract arrangements.

The Department of Agriculture must continue to support and pursue an adequately funded CAP post-2020.

The Department and industry to progress development of producer organisations.

The Department and industry to explore mechanisms to improve transparency around pricing and costs.

The Department to review the possibility of developing a mechanism to minimise risk for processors and give farmers confidence regarding price including possible mutual funds such as a reinsurance scheme.

It recommends measures to address competitiveness, farm restructuring and land mobility. The strategy acknowledges that future food production systems must be as focused on sustainability.