Bord Bia 24% increase in Irish food exports

“Irish food and drink exports to Germany performed great in the first half of 2017 with a year-on-year increase of 24%, driven by significant growth in dairy, sheepmeat, horticulture, seafood, prepared foods and beverages. It is a premium market, our sixth largest, with an estimated value of €600m last year”, she said.

The German grocery retail market was worth €234bn in 2016 and is forecast to be worth €259bn by 2021, a growth rate of 10.5% (IGD Retail Analysis, 2017). The market is highly competitive and consolidated, with the largest operators accounting for around 85% of total sales.

Bord Bia has committed considerable time and resources to the German market to exploit its potential for Irish food and drink exporters. It is Ireland’s sixth largest export market for food and drink with an estimated export value of €600m for 2016.

Export performance to date for 2017 has been very strong (up 24%), driven by increases in Dairy and Prepared Foods. Significant increases have also been recorded for sheepmeat (+14%), seafood (+26%), pigmeat (+19%), edible horticulture (+25%) and beverages (+9%).

Irish beef continues to perform in what is an important premium market, with beef exports rising to €142 mill. in 2016 from €92 mill. just four years ago. The new Brexit initiative will include concept and strategy development planning for promotion activity from 2018 and beyond, including existing material developed for the German market. The campaign commenced this year with five retail promotions in over 2,000 stores and a series of promotions with leading steak restaurant chains across 50 locations. In addition, Bord Bia is organising trade, consumer, food blogger and journalists visits to Ireland to gain a first-hand experience and understanding of Irish beef. (www.irishbeef.de)