Ireland-Decline in meat and farm exports.

IRELAND-DECLINE IN EXPORTS.

Irish food and drink exports declined by 6.5% to €8.16 billion in 2008. State food promotion agency Bord Bia says the performance of the sector remains impressive considering 43% of our exports are destined for the UK.

"The Irish food, drink and horticulture industry has the potential to boost annual export returns by more than 20% to reach €10 billion by 2011"according toBord Bia’s Chairman Dan Browne. Speaking at the launch of Bord Bia’s Statement of Strategy 2009 – 2011 in Dublin today Browne commented "The indigenous nature of Ireland’s agri-food industry, its deep foundation in the Irish economy, and its potential for development in an expanding market puts it in a unique position to actively contribute to a national drive to secure sustainable economic renewal."

"The relative stability of food markets during the downturn, combined with the relentless rise in the world’s population, growing at the rate of almost 80 million people a year, and shifting dietary habits will continue to underpin global demand for food"