Irish whiskey boosts record beverage exports

Irish food and drink exports grew 3% in 2015 to record levels of more than €10.8 million, with beverages driven by the booming Irish whiskey market.

Irish whiskey was a “significant” driver of Ireland’s beverage exports in 2015

This marks the sixth consecutive year of export growth for the country’s food and drinks sector.

As reported in Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report 2015/2016, beverages was the strongest category growing 10%, thanks largely to the “sustained growth” in exports of Irish whiskey (up approximately 18%), making it the “most significant driver” in the drinks segment.

“Irish food exporters registered record growth, increasing exports by some €355 million in a period when global food commodity prices declined by approximately 19%, the Russian market was effectively closed to EU food exports, and consumer sentiment remained sluggish across the Eurozone,” commented Aidan Cotter, chief executive Bord Bia.

“This year will present further opportunities for growth in most sectors notwithstanding challenges from continued global dairy price pressures through the early months of 2016.”

Bord Bia also released its new Statement of Strategy, 2016 – 2918, titled ‘Making a World of Diffference’, which aims to outline key drivers of change in the marketplace and strategic pillars that will guide the agency’s activities in the period ahead.

“My department along with Bord Bia and industry will continue to seek out new markets and new products to guard against the inevitable challenges facing a small open economy exporting 80% of the food we product,” said minister for agriculture, food and marine Simon Coveney.

“For this reason I am delighted that Bord Bia is to open new overseas offices in Singapore and Warsaw to offer support and insight to exporters targeting South East Asia and Eastern Europe.”