[caption id="attachment_69652" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Bord Bia's Michael Carey and Aidan Cotter."]
It's the bacon and smoked salmon, but a lot more besides.
The value of Irish food and drink exports increased by 12 percent, or €1 billion, in 2011 to reach an all-time high of €8.85 billion, this according to Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board.
During the first nine months of the year, food and drink exports increased at three times the rate of total merchandise exports. As a result the food sector accounted for 25 percent of Ireland's total rise in export revenue.
The Irish Times reported Bord Bia chairman Michael Carey as describing the figures as "an excellent achievement."
The record rise in exports was driven by high commodity prices on world markets. However, while the increase was driven primarily by value, growth, the volume of product sold was also a factor. Volume accounted for 25 percent of the rise in food and drink exports.
The dairy and meat sectors were the strongest performing categories, both representing about €2.6 billion, or 30 percent of total food and drink exports.
According to the Times, prepared foods accounted for €1.5 billion, or 17 percent of sales, with seafood accounting for €440 million or 4.5 percent.
The UK remained the primary destination for Irish food and drink exports last year, accounting for 41 percent or €3.66 billion, an increase of six percent. The EU was the second largest market, buying 34 percent of Ireland's food and drink exports. This represented a 16 percent increase over 2010.
The value of exports outside of Europe, and this would include exports to North America, grew by 20 percent or €350 million, to reach almost €2.2 billion last year.
Separately, the Irish Dairy Board recently announced that Kerrygold butter enjoyed record sales growth in the U.S. market in 2011. Kerrygold has reported annual double digit growth over the past ten years.
"Ireland has a compelling story to tell in terms of its green and natural environment and our sustainability program will demonstrate our credentials and differentiate us in a world that is increasingly concerned about climate change and about how we use our natural resources", said Bord Bia's chief executive, Aidan Cotter.
