BORD BIA:THE VALUE of Irish food and drink exports has increased by more than 8 per cent in the first five months of this year and was worth almost €3 billion, Bord Bia announced at the National Ploughing Championships in Athy yesterday.
Its chief executive, Aidan Cotter, said the rate of recovery has accelerated as the year has progressed with exports in May some 23 per cent up on the same month last year.
The head of the food board said the strong increase in the value of food and drink exports had been helped by an improving exchange rate, increased meat export volumes and a stronger export performance in the beverage, dairy and seafood sectors.
“Generally, the export prospects for the major product categories for the remainder of 2010 are more positive as better market prices, an improved exchange rate and a more stable economic picture across key markets underpin trade,” he said.
Mr Cotter said sterling was currently 6 per cent stronger against the euro than this time last year and on a year-to-year basis was up by 3 per cent.
The same was true of the dollar which is 12 per cent stronger against the euro relative to September 2009, he added.
“Both of these developments are providing welcome relief to exporters as the UK accounts for 45 per cent of exports while a significant number of international markets tend to trade in US dollar terms,” he said.
Irish Rural Link – the national network of rural community groups used the event to call on the Government to immediately launch a new white paper on rural development.
The previous White Paper launched in 1999 was out of date and did not reflect the current economic and social realities faced by rural families said the network’s chief executive, Séamus Boland.
“Rural Ireland accounts for 40 per cent of Ireland’s population and in the light of recent downward adjustments in regional spending as per National Development Plan, is now facing the serious threat of worsening unemployment and an unsustainable decline in basic services,” he said
“A new White Paper on rural development could act as an exciting template for the regeneration of a resilient rural economy, which would ensure a future for the many young people now finishing education and would be key to providing long term economic drivers for Ireland,” said Mr Boland.