Irish Food and drinks exports have performed strongly in the first half of 2013.
The Irish Farmers Journal is reporting that the value of food and drink leaving the country in the January to June period is 8.6% higher than the same period last year.
Bord Bia, who released the figures, said that Ireland remains on track to exceed last year’s record-breaking €9bn total for the full year.
Ironically, given the horse meat crisis earlier in the year, higher beef volumes (+10%) and values (+5%) combined to deliver beef exports 15% higher at €1,090m.
Dairy also had a good first half, with export value up 4% to €1,345m despite lower milk volumes in the poor spring.
Other strong performing categories were prepared foods (+15%), pigmeat (+9%) and beverages (+4%).
Bord Bia Chief Executive Aidan Cotter described the export figures as “particularly impressive at a time when overall exports have fallen by some 6%”.