Twenty-three Irish food and drink companies are participating at the world’s largest trade fair in Cologne, Germany, this week. Bord Bia is organising and coordinating the Irish presence at Anuga, a biennial event which attracts over 6,700 exhibitors from 95 countries and 164,000 trade visitors from 174 countries. Ireland is represented in the meat, dairy and beverage halls.
Michael Carey, the recently appointed Chairman of Bord Bia, welcomed the Irish industry’s strong presence at what is widely regarded as the most important trade event in the international food and drink calendar. “Figures for the first half of 2011 mark a further shift in the distribution of Irish food and drink exports with some 35% now destined for Continental European markets. Although the UK will continue to be Ireland’s principal export destination, other eurozone markets, including Germany which is performing strongly with double digit growth, offer the prospect of new expanded opportunities for Irish exporters.”
Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia added “International trade events such as ANUGA provide Irish companies with a unique opportunity to meet and build relationships with new and existing buyers from all over the world. We have undertaken a major pre-event trade marketing and awareness campaign to promote the Irish industry’s presence at the event including targeting over 1,000 key influential buyers to visit the Ireland stand.”
Ireland’s food and drink exports to Germany in 2010 were valued at €398 million, representing a 30% year on year increase. All sectors preformed strongly, however Irish beef exports more than doubled last year while dairy exports increased by 55%. The main exports are dairy (Kerrygold), alcoholic beverages (Baileys, Tullamore Dew, Kilbeggan, Jameson) and meat. Germany is the largest market for the Kerrygold brand where it is positioned as the market leader. Export growth is expected to continue in 2011 where export levels recorded for Jan – May show an increase of 37.5%, or €52 million, compared to the corresponding period last year.
Ireland’s food and drink exports are expected to reach a new all time high of €8.9 billion in 2011, an increase of more than 12%, or almost €1 billion, on 2010 levels. This follows growth of €700 million in 2010 leaving Ireland’s food exports in 2011 some 25% ahead of 2009 levels. Strong global prices are driving export growth, with the FAO food price index 15% ahead of this time last year, however increased volumes of dairy products, pigmeat, whiskey, cider, confectionery, sauces/soups and mushrooms are also boosting revenues. It is estimated volume growth across these categories will account for up to 30% of the total.