This week saw the release of the Bord Bia Export Performance and Prospects report for 2024/2025, with one farm organisation saying the figures in the report are “a huge achievement by farmers and the food industry”.
The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) said that the delivery to the Irish economy of a record €17 billion of food, drink and horticultural exports in 2024 is “testament to the hard work and ingenuity of Irish farmers and the food industry”.
According to Denis Drennan, the ICMSA president, the results are particularly notable as 2024 was in fact “an extremely difficult year” for farming.
“The figures highlighted, yet again, the hugely important role played by our largest indigenous industry in delivering net foreign earnings back into every townland in Ireland.
“It is also important to note that these exports, when considered on a net foreign earnings basis, are much more significant given their low import content and the fact that vast revenue generated is retained within Ireland and not ‘repatriated’ anywhere,” Drennan added.
He said that the export figures from the Bord Bia report “underline the enormous potential” of the food sector in Ireland.
Drennan called of this to be recognised when a new programme for government is agreed between the parties and TDs that form the next coalition.
He also said that the next programme for government should set out measures to develop the potential of the sector on a sustainable basis, and take a proactive approach to its development “rather than the negative approach of the previous government”.
“Ireland is now, and can continue to be, a leader in sustainable food production. We can build on these exports and makes agriculture attractive to the next generation,” the ICMSA president commented.
However, he said that this would require “sensible policies”, particularly policies based on collaboration with farmers working on defined objectives.
According to Drennan, such an approach would contrast with a “top-down negativity” which has been “the policy for the last number of years”.
He also suggested that the EU “appears to have changed its approach” and is recognising the importance of sustainable food production.
“The Irish government should do the same and allow us to develop a sustainable growth-orientated food sector, delivering for the Irish economy and family incomes in a way that can attract the next generation of farmers,” Drennan said.