IRELAND

Irish food, drink and horticulture exports reach a record €19 billion in 2025

The value of Ireland’s food, drink and horticulture exports increased by 12% in 2025 to reach a record €19 billion, according to Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report 2025/26.

Posted on Jan 21 ,00:10

This milestone performance was delivered amid one of the most volatile trading environments in recent years, shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, extreme weather events, persistent inflation, and shifting consumer behaviour. Despite these pressures, Irish exporters demonstrated strong resilience, with growth largely underpinned by higher prices across key categories, most notably beef and dairy. 

Meat and livestock exports increased by 18% to just over €5 billion, driven by significant price increases in beef and live exports. Tight supplies of cattle across Ireland and key markets led to a surge in beef prices but reduced export volumes. Dairy exports rose by 14% to €7.3 billion, supported by improved dairy prices in the first half of the year, and a strong grass-growing season throughout which boosted milk production. Export volumes (excluding milk and cream) increased by 12%, with butter and cheese accounting for the majority of value growth. Commodity prices across several key export categories declined sharply during the autumn months. 

Prepared Consumer Foods (PCF) exports grew by 9% to €3.6 billion, aided by strong performance in chocolate confectionery, juices, carbonated beverages and meal solutions, and a 10% increase in exports to the UK. Drinks exports recorded a marginal increase of 2% to €2 billion, despite shifting trade dynamics, particularly in the US market. 

Seafood exports rose by 9% to €635 million, as a significant increase in volumes offset weaker returns for many species, however the sector faces increased challenges ahead as quotas look set to be significantly reduced for some species. Horticulture and cereals exports increased marginally to €330 million, with mushroom exports edging higher, while cereals values declined due to lower global prices.

Launching the report, Bord Bia Chief Executive Jim O’Toole welcomed the sector’s strong performance against an exceptionally challenging global trading environment. 

“2025 can be described as one of the most volatile years our sector has experienced in recent memory. Yet, against this backdrop, the Irish food, drink and horticulture industry reached a record €19 billion in exports, demonstrating its ability to continue building value even in turbulent conditions. By investing in strategic insight, sustainability and trusted customer relationships, the sector is moving beyond volume-led growth and positioning itself to deliver greater value in global markets. This progress has been achieved despite ongoing volatility across trade, consumer sentiment and climate conditions, which shows little sign of easing”. 

Commenting on the export figures the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon said “I am pleased to see that when the estimated €2.2 billion in non-edible agri-food products is added to Bord Bia’s estimated €19 billion export value of Irish food and drink, resulting in total agrifood exports of €21.2 billion, that there was an overall estimated increase of 11% in the total Irish agri-food exports in 2025 when compared to 2024. Given all the challenges facing the industry, this is a significant achievement. I am confident that with support from both my Department and the marketing and promotion support provided by Bord Bia, our farmers, fishers, food companies, and food and drink producers will continue to face into and work through these ongoing challenges in 2026”. 

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Noel Grealish TD, also noted the positive performance in face of challenges. “Geopolitical events have led to supply chain pressures and increased volatility in recent years. Despite these challenges the Agri-Food sector has shown great resilience. As well as these positive export figures, there has been an overall improvement in output prices and in family farm incomes in the past year. While there is market uncertainty associated with the outlook for 2026, global demand for high-quality food and animal protein is increasing with population, urbanisation and affluence. There are many people who are involved in making the sector as successful as it is, but it all begins from the actual production of food. So, I want to thank all who work hard in contributing to this – farmers, fishers, food and drink producers. In 2026, we need to continue to work together in facing and adapting to challenges, as we strive to maintain success for all actors across the sector”. 

Export performance by destination 

Exports to the European Union increased strongly by 16% in 2025 to €7.1 billion, accounting for 37% of total Irish food, drink and horticulture export value. Growth was concentrated in the region’s largest markets - the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain and Belgium - which together accounted for €5.2 billion in exports, an increase of 17%, driven primarily by higher beef and dairy returns. 

The UK remained Ireland’s largest single export destination, with export values rising by 14% to €6.7 billion, representing 35% of total exports. Beef, dairy and prepared consumer foods were the main contributors to growth, although inflation continued to affect consumer affordability. 

Exports to international markets increased by 5% to an estimated €5.2 billion, representing 28% of total exports. North America strengthened its position within international markets, driven by an 11% increase in dairy export value to €1 billion. Exports to Asia were broadly stable at €1.1 billion, with stronger dairy shipments to Southeast Asia offsetting declines in beef and pigmeat exports, particularly to China and Japan. Africa recorded one of the strongest growth performances, with exports increasing by 9% to €975 million, led by significant growth in drink and seafood exports, both of which recorded increases of almost 60%, highlighting the continued diversification of Ireland’s export base across international markets. 

Looking Ahead 

According to Bord Bia’s CEO Sentiment Survey, Irish food and drink exporters enter 2026 with a more cautious outlook. While overall sentiment remains moderately positive, growth expectations have softened compared with the previous year, reflecting ongoing cost pressures, geopolitical uncertainty and subdued consumer demand in some markets. Just over half of companies expect export growth in 2026, while almost two in five report delaying planned investment due to economic and market conditions. Labour costs continue to represent the most significant risk to competitiveness. 

Concluding, Bord Bia Chief Executive Jim O’Toole said: “Together with industry, we broadened Ireland’s global reach in 2025, deepened relationships with customers, and continued to champion the distinctiveness of Irish food, drink and horticulture at home and abroad. Despite the headwinds, the strength of our reputation, our commitment to sustainability, and the resilience of our sector provide a strong foundation for the future. As we enter 2026, Bord Bia’s ambition remains clear: to grow value, deliver impactful supports, and ensure that Ireland continues to stand out in a changing world”.  

Export performance 2025 – sector highlights 

DAIRY 

• Dairy exports benefited from strong prices and higher milk production in the first half of 2025, contributing to a 14% increase in export value to €7.3 billion. 

• Butter and cheese were the primary drivers of dairy price growth, accounting for 75% (or €650 million) of the increase in export value. Their combined share of total dairy exports rose to 50%, up from 41% in 2023. 

• From a market perspective, Europe, the United Kingdom and North America were the main sources of growth, together accounting for over 80% of butter export volumes and more than 85% of cheese exports. 

• While overall performance in 2025 was positive, momentum softened towards year-end, with commodity prices across key export categories declining sharply during the autumn months. 

 MEAT AND LIVESTOCK 

• Total meat and livestock exports increased by 18% in 2025 to exceed €5 billion, with performance largely driven by beef and live animal exports. 

• Irish beef exports exceeded €3.4 billion, up 24% year-on-year, despite export volumes being around 40,000 tonnes below the average recorded over the past decade. This reflected strong price inflation in the short term. Beef offal exports were valued at €155 million, an increase of 12%. 

• The value of live animal exports continued to grow strongly, reaching an estimated €480 million in 2025, a 40% increase on 2024. 

• Sheepmeat export volumes declined by 15%, reflecting lower availability of sheep for processing. While higher prices partially offset the volume decline, export values were still 10% lower, with the value of Irish sheepmeat exports falling for the third consecutive year to an estimated €360 million. Export volumes declined to 51,000 tonnes, the lowest level recorded since 2016. 

• Pigmeat exports declined by 3% to €475 million, due to lower prices, although volumes increased by 3%. The reduction in value reflects a highly competitive international pork market, ongoing tariff complications and subdued demand across key export destinations. 

• Irish primary poultry exports recovered strongly in 2025, increasing by 18% to an estimated €165 million. Exports of eggs, which represent a small share of the category, also recorded strong growth during the year. 

 PREPARED CONSUMER FOODS (PCF) 

• 2025 was a challenging year for the Prepared Consumer Foods (PCF) sector, as businesses navigated persistent inflation and evolving consumer dynamics. 

• Despite these pressures, PCF exports increased by 9% to €3.6 billion, driven primarily by growth in chocolate confectionery, juices, carbonated beverages and meal solutions, which rose by 28%, 10% and 6% respectively. 

• Value-added meat exports grew by 5%, or €45 million year-on-year, to reach €885 million in 2025, and now account for 24% of total PCF exports. Challenging trading conditions for quick service restaurants contributed to the tempering of growth in this sub sector. 

• Meal solutions exports grew by 6% to €745 million, with the category now representing 21% of total PCF exports. 

• Irish bakery exports remained stable at €330 million, while beverage exports (carbonated, water and juices) increased to €330 million, supported by 11% growth in volumes. 

• Irish chocolate exports recorded strong value growth, increasing by €90 million (+28%), while sugar confectionery exports performed ahead of global markets, rising by 7% to €175 million. 

 DRINKS 

• Drinks exports increased by 2% to €2 billion. The rise was driven by an increase in beer and cream liqueurs.   

• Overall, the market for Irish drinks was challenging, with difficult trading conditions, persisting inventory issues and slower depletion rates due to a squeeze on consumer spending. Exporters also had to adapt to new trading conditions because of tariffs on goods entering the US, the largest single market for Irish drink exports. 

• Exports of Irish whiskey, which account for 45% of total drinks export value, declined by 5% to €930 million in 2025. In contrast, Irish cream liqueur exports increased by 10% to €430 million (up 20% since 2023), while Irish beer exports rose by 7% to an estimated €350 million. Spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) exports reached €220 million in 2025. Irish cider exports recorded a marginal decline to just over €75 million, while Irish gin exports fell by 14% as markets continued to rationalise the range of brands offered for sale. 

 SEAFOOD 

• Seafood export volumes increased by 22% in 2025, offsetting lower prices for many species and resulting in a 9% increase in export value to €635 million. Performance was heavily influenced by increased volumes of pelagic species and salmon. 

• Salmon exports were valued at an estimated €110 million, up 7% year-on-year, supported by a 16% increase in volumes. 

• Pelagic export volumes increased by 35%, helping to offset lower unit prices, with overall pelagic exports valued at €175 million. 

• Shellfish exports increased by 5% in value, while volumes rose by 2%. While 2025 was another challenging year in core European markets, performance in China was particularly strong, with exports of Irish shellfish almost doubling in value on the back of robust demand across a range of species. 

• Whitefish exports increased marginally by 2% to €50 million, with volumes remaining broadly stable. 

• Looking ahead, ongoing pressure on input costs, logistics and labour availability is expected to persist in 2026, with the year likely to remain challenging for the seafood sector. 

 HORTICULTURE AND CEREALS 

• Horticulture and cereals exports increased marginally to €330 million in 2025. 

• Mushroom exports to the UK, the primary market for Irish mushrooms, declined by 4% in volume terms, with higher prices helping to offset the decline and support a marginal increase in value to €155 million. 

• Amenity exports remained stable at €20 million, supported by steady trade in foliage and plants, while daffodil exports recorded a slight increase. 

• The value of Irish cereal exports declined by 10% to €80 million, reflecting lower global commodity prices. Export volumes remained broadly flat, with record global production levels expected to continue to weigh on prices through at least the first half of 2026.

Comments

Similar articles