Strong Agri-food Export Performance Underlines Value of Sector to Economic Recovery
IFA President John Bryan said the strong performance of agri-food exports in today’s CSO trade figures for the first five months of 2011 is further evidence of the contribution the sector is making to economic recovery.
“Compared to the same period last year, the agri-food sector has delivered an increase of almost 20% in the value of exports. In particular, there has been a very impressive performance on the dairy side, with exports of dairy products rising by 47%.”
John Bryan said the Government should continue to support primary production, and ensure that forthcoming decisions in Budget 2012 underpin our productive base. “Farm schemes are very important in driving output at farm level, which in turn generates economic activity and exports.”
The IFA President said, “The growth in agri-food exports in the last year has played a significant part in achieving the highest trade surplus ever. For the sector to drive on and reach the targets set out in Food Harvest 2020, the correct conditions must be maintained.
