orchard in northern ireland

Irish orchard

Irish food and drink exports to China increased by more than 40 per cent to reach €390 million last year.

In all, Irish food and drink exports were worth €9.99 billion last year – a 9 per cent increase on 2012 figures.

This means that Irish food and drink exports are now almost €3 billion higher than they were in 2009.

Despite most of the Irish media focusing on the blossimg relationship with China, the UK was still Ireland’s most important market in 2013, accounting for 42 per cent of exports.

Adrian Cotter, chief executive of Irish food marketing body Bord Bia, said that with UK population projected to increase by 10 million over the next 25 years, there is a 'huge opportunity that should not be ignored.'

He added that the Irish food and drink industry has very strong positions across all the categories in which it competes in the UK market, and thatthere was 'no doubt' that the trajectory of Ireland's food and drink exports would be upwards “for a very significant time to come”.

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