Irish food and drink exports reached €13bn in 2019, a 7% increase on the 2018 value and a 5% increase in volume of exports. This represents a 67% increase in export values compared to 2010. When non-edible exports such as hides are included, the total value of Irish agri exports was €14.3bn in 2019.

Dairy sales accounted for €4.4bn of exports in 2019, an 11% increase on the previous year. The value of beef exports was €2.25bn in 2019, a 7% decline on 2018, and the value sheepmeat exports also fell 7% to €294m. Live exports showed a 3% decline to a value of just over €167m.c

The value of pigmeat exports jumped 14% to €940m, while the poultry sector delivered a 5% growth in export values to just under €306m.

The UK has fallen from taking 42% of Irish exports in 2010 to 34% in 2019

Prepared foods, alcohol, seafood and horticulture all produced increased returns on the previous year and between them accounted for 36% of Ireland’s total food and drink exports.

While the UK remains the most important market for Irish food and drink exports, it has fallen from taking 42% of Irish exports in 2010 to 34% in 2019, with the percentage of sales outside the EU increasing from 24% in 2010 to 31% last year. The share of Irish exports to other EU countries has remained stable, increasing by just 1% over the decade.