The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine published its Annual Review and Outlook for 2023, which underlines the critical importance of the agriculture, food and marine sectors to the overall national economy, and especially to our rural and coastal areas.
Minister McConalogue said about the Annual Review and Outlook for 2023, “once again, we see the critical importance of the agri-food sector, which is our largest and most important indigenous exporting sector. Despite the many challenges faced in the last number of years by our farmers and fishers, food producers, processors, and the food distribution chain, the sector has demonstrated its adaptability and resilience to continue to deliver safe and nutritious food for Irish and international markets. This is evidenced by the rise in value of agri-food exports last year, to a record €19 billion, which represents an increase of 76% over the past decade, largely driven by value rather than volume.”
“The Annual Review and Outlook is an essential publication for anybody interested in a detailed overview of our agri-food sector and I wish to congratulate my Department on producing such a high-quality report again this year. I have no doubt it will be a vital tool for researchers, students and practitioners who wish to understand where the sector sits in our overall national economic output.”
“The Food, Drink & Primary Production sector accounted for 40% of all export sales by Irish-owned companies, directly supporting 165,000 jobs, or 6.5% of total employment, predominantly in rural and coastal communities. This significant domestic economic footprint, including its export profile, reflects the natural comparative advantages of Irish production and a long agricultural tradition.”
The Minister concluded, “the Irish agri-food sector continues to adapt and evolve, operating more efficiently and sustainably year on year. We have huge ambition to be a world leader in sustainable food systems and there is proven demand for food produced to our high standards. I believe that as global demand for food increases there are vast opportunities for the sector on its value driven production trajectory.”
