2024 was a milestone year for Irish food and drink exports, with the reputation of Irish produce at a premium worldwide.
The value of Ireland’s food, drink and horticulture exports increased by 5% last year to a record €17bn, according to Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report for 2024/2025.
This performance marks a milestone year for Irish food and drink exporters, despite enduring global trade challenges caused by geo-political instability, fluctuating inflation and on-going high trading costs.
“2024 was another good year for Ireland’s food and beverage sector with the value of food and drink exports the highest ever at €17bn versus €16.3bn in 2023”
Higher pricing was the primary driver of growth in 2024, as cost pressures and inflation continued to affect businesses and consumers. However, several categories recorded volume, as well as value growth, most notably within seafood, prepared consumer foods (PCF), and meat and livestock.
Reputation of Irish food is at a premium
The value of Irish dairy exports, which is the largest category of food exports, remained stable at €6.3bn, despite weather conditions throughout the year affecting grass-growth. Total meat and livestock exports increased by 6% to €4.3bn driven by higher volumes and values across beef, pigmeat and livestock.
The value of drink exports grew by 19% to just over €2.1bn, with ‘ready-to-drink’ (RTD) beverages achieving a threefold increase year-on-year to €235m. Whiskey exports increased by 13% to a value of more than €1bn. Exports in the prepared consumer foods (PCF) sector were worth €3.4bn, which was an increase of 7%, while seafood exports recorded a 9% increase to approximately €595m. Exports of cereals and horticulture increased by 4% in value to a total of €325m in 2024.
“It is very encouraging that this annual analysis report from Bord Bia shows a hugely positive performance for the 2024 export value of Irish food and drink at €17bn,” said the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue, TD.
“Add to this the value of non-edible products and Irish agri-food exports are in the region of €19bn, a figure approaching a 5% increase on 2023. This is a significant achievement, given the prevailing impact of cost inflation and market volatility.
“Despite these ongoing challenges, the sector time and again proves its resilience. Our food companies, our farmers, fishers, and food and drink producers have, at each stage of the production cycle, contributed to the Agri-Food sector’s performance in 2024. I know they will continue to do so in the future, underpinned by the strategic insight, marketing and promotion support provided by Bord Bia.”
Growth confidence for Irish food
According to Bord Bia’s CEO Sentiment Survey, the most Irish food and drink exporters remain optimistic about achieving growth in 2025. Confidence is particularly strong in the European and UK markets, with over two-thirds of respondents anticipating opportunities for expansion in these regions.
Looking at routes to market, eight in 10 respondents (82%) expect growth in the retail sector; half the companies surveyed forecast growth in the foodservice channel and 44% in the manufacturing sector.
Despite these ambitions for growth, global trade concerns remain as more than one-third of businesses also expressed concerns that their competitiveness could decline in the next 12 months. Key risks to competitiveness cited include rising labour costs, sustained cost inflation, difficulties in accessing raw materials, and geopolitical tensions, such as the looming threat of tariffs.
“The robust performance and sustained success of the Irish agri-food sector is a testament to the industry’s focus on strategic market diversification, investment in sustainable practices, and commitment to world-class quality and traceability standards, evident throughout the supply chain,” said Bord Bia Chief Executive Jim O’Toole.
“The confidence and continued ambition of the industry is clear in the results of Bord Bia’s CEO Sentiment Survey, showing that most Irish food and drink exporters remain optimistic about achieving growth in 2025, despite the business environment and operating challenges.
“Climate change remains the most pressing challenge for our sector and, working with our national sustainability programme Origin Green, we must maintain our focus on maximising market value, while also safeguarding our environment. The programme’s emphasis on verified and measurable sustainability outcomes has been instrumental in shaping Ireland’s reputation on the global stage over the past decade and will continue to underpin the resilience and success of Ireland’s agri-food sector in the years to come.”
Exports to the EU increased by 4% and were worth almost €5.9bn. The EU now accounts for 35% of all Irish food, drink and horticulture exports, back from a 36% share in 2023. France, Germany and Belgium accounted for nearly 40% of total exports, with value increases recorded of 5%,12% and 12% respectively.
The UK continues to be the largest single market for Irish food, drink and horticulture exports, with value up 7% to €5.9bn. The total share of exports for the UK in 2024 is estimated to be almost 35%, however, this remains lower than pre-Brexit trading, highlighting how Irish exporters have sought to diversify their exports to other markets. Despite the UK market seeing inflation ease, cost of living challenges remain, and the announcement of a landmark tax raising budget could pose challenges for consumers and businesses.
The value of trade to international markets increased by almost 5% in 2024 to €5.2bn. This increase was primarily driven by a rise in trade with North America of 14% to approximately €2bn. Performance in Asia was mixed, with dairy exports declining by 12% in value terms, and exports of pigmeat continuing to face challenges, falling below €100m. Exports to Africa increased to €950m, up 10% on 2023 levels.
A milestone for Irish food and drink
“2024 was another good year for Ireland’s food and beverage sector with the value of food and drink exports the highest ever at €17bn versus €16.3bn in 2023,” said Bank of Ireland’s head of Food & Drink Sector Lucy Ryan (pictured).
“The value increase was due primarily to price inflation but Ireland’s strong reputation for quality food and beverages, and its ability to innovate, cannot be under-estimated in its export performance in a very competitive global market.
“The largest sub-sector of dairy maintained its export value of €6.3bn YoY despite a drop in volumes during a challenging year in some export markets. The value of meat exports grew 6% with 92% of meat exported to UK, EU and Asia and beef accounting for €2.8bn of the total €4.3bn.
“Prepared consumer foods – including bakery, prepared foods, confectionary and non alcoholic drinks – accounted for €3.4bn or +7% compared to 2023 with value-added meats flat YoY. Alcoholic drinks had another strong year resulting in €2.1bn exported with whiskey making up €1bn.
“Stockpiling of whiskey in markets such as the US did impact operators in a highly competitive market. Seafood exports grew 9% to €595m yet this sector continues to be challenged with markets such as France buying less high-end seafood and global pricing very competitive. Horticulture exports grew 4% to €325m with mushroom performance +7% YoY,” Ryan said.
Main image at top: Bord Bia Chief Executive Jim O’Toole with Minister for Agriculture and Food Charlie McConalogue, TD
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