Irish Food, Drink, and Horticulture Exports Hit Record €19 Billion

According to Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report 2025/26, the value of Ireland’s food, drink, and horticulture exports surged by 12% in 2025, reaching an unprecedented €19 billion. This remarkable achievement occurred amid one of the most volatile trading environments in recent years, characterized by geopolitical uncertainty, extreme weather conditions, persistent inflation, and evolving consumer behavior. Despite these challenges, Irish exporters demonstrated notable resilience, primarily driven by increased prices in key categories, especially beef and dairy.

Meat and Livestock exports saw an impressive increase of 18%, surpassing €5 billion. This growth was largely attributed to significant price hikes in beef and live exports. Tight cattle supplies within Ireland and critical markets prompted a notable rise in beef prices, although export volumes diminished. In the dairy sector, dairy exports grew by 14% to €7.3 billion, spurred on by improved dairy prices in the early part of the year and a robust grass-growing season that enhanced milk production. Export volumes (excluding milk and cream) increased by 12%, with butter and cheese contributing substantially to this value growth. However, commodity prices across several key export categories sharply declined during the autumn months.

Performance in Prepared Consumer Foods (PCF) showed a 9% increase, reaching €3.6 billion, fueled by strong sales in chocolate confectionery, juices, carbonated beverages, and meal solutions, along with a 10% rise in exports to the UK. Meanwhile, drinks exports recorded a slight uptick of 2% to €2 billion, despite shifting trade dynamics, particularly in the U.S. market.

In the seafood category, exports rose by 9% to €635 million, as a significant increase in volume compensated for lower returns among many species. Nonetheless, this sector anticipates further challenges as quotas for certain species are expected to be dramatically reduced. Additionally, horticulture and cereals exports saw a marginal increase to €330 million, driven by slight growth in mushroom exports, while cereal values fell due to global price declines.

Launching this report, Bord Bia Chief Executive Jim O’Toole acknowledged the sector’s remarkable performance under extraordinarily challenging global trading conditions. He commented: “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.”

Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon stated: “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 agri-food exports of €21.2 billion, there was an overall estimated increase of 11% in total Irish agri-food exports in 2025 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 backing from Bord Bia, our farmers, fishers, food companies, and food and drink producers will continue to tackle these ongoing challenges in 2026.”

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Noel Grealish TD, also highlighted the positive performance amid 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. In addition to these positive export figures, there has been an overall improvement in output prices and in family farm incomes in the past year. While market uncertainty will affect the outlook for 2026, global demand for high-quality food and animal protein is increasing due to population growth, urbanization, and rising affluence. Many people contribute to making the sector successful, beginning with food production itself. Therefore, I want to thank all who work diligently in this area—farmers, fishers, and food and drink producers. In 2026, we must continue to collaborate in facing and adapting to challenges while striving to maintain success across the sector.”

Export Performance by Destination

Exports to the European Union displayed strong growth, increasing by 16% in 2025 to €7.1 billion, representing 37% of Ireland’s total food, drink, and horticulture export value. This growth was primarily concentrated in the largest markets of the region— the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, and Belgium—accounting for €5.2 billion in exports, an increase of 17%, driven mainly by higher beef and dairy returns.

The UK remained Ireland’s largest single export destination, with export values up by 14% to €6.7 billion, constituting 35% of total exports. The primary contributors to this growth were beef, dairy, and prepared consumer foods, although inflation continued to impact consumer affordability.

Exports to international markets rose by 5%, reaching an estimated €5.2 billion, which equates to 28% of total exports. North America solidified its position within these international markets, driven by an 11% increase in dairy export value totaling €1 billion. Exports to Asia remained 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 experienced one of its strongest growth performances, with exports climbing by 9% to €975 million, led by significant growth in drink and seafood exports, both of which recorded increases nearing 60%, underscoring the diversification of Ireland’s export base across international markets.

Looking Ahead

According to Bord Bia’s CEO Sentiment Survey, Irish food and drink exporters approach 2026 with a more cautious perspective. While overall sentiment remains moderately positive, growth expectations have softened compared to the preceding year, reflecting persistent cost pressures, geopolitical uncertainty, and subdued consumer demand in select markets. Approximately half of the companies anticipate export growth in 2026, whereas nearly two in five report delays in planned investments due to economic and market conditions. Labour costs continue to pose the most significant risk to competitiveness.

In conclusion, Bord Bia Chief Executive Jim O’Toole stated: “Together with the industry, we broadened Ireland’s global reach in 2025, deepened relationships with customers, and continued to promote the uniqueness of Irish food, drink, and horticulture both domestically and internationally. Despite the challenges, our strong reputation, commitment to sustainability, and the resilience of our sector lay a solid foundation for the future. As we enter 2026, Bord Bia’s ambition remains clear: to grow value, deliver impactful support, and ensure Ireland stands out in a dynamic world.”

 

Export Performance 2025 – Sector Highlights

DAIRY

• Dairy exports benefited from robust prices and enhanced milk production in the first half of 2025, leading to a 14% increase in export value, reaching €7.3 billion.
• Butter and cheese emerged as the primary drivers of dairy price growth, contributing 75% (€650 million) to the increase in export value. Their combined share of total dairy exports rose to 50%, up from 41% in 2023.
• Market-wise, Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America were the main growth sources, accounting for over 80% of butter export volumes and more than 85% of cheese exports.
• While the overall performance in 2025 was positive, momentum waned 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, surpassing €5 billion, driven largely by beef and live animal exports.
• Irish beef exports exceeded €3.4 billion, marking a 24% increase year-on-year, despite export volumes being about 40,000 tonnes below the decade’s average. This reflected strong short-term price inflation. Beef offal exports were valued at €155 million, a 12% increase.
• The value of live animal exports continued its robust growth, reaching an estimated €480 million in 2025, a 40% increase compared to 2024.
• Sheepmeat export volumes declined by 15%, reflecting decreased availability for processing. While higher prices partially mitigated the volume decline, export values fell by 10%, with Irish sheepmeat exports valued at an estimated €360 million. Export volumes dropped to 51,000 tonnes, the lowest since 2016.
• Pigmeat exports fell by 3% to €475 million due to lower prices, although volumes increased by 3%. This reduction reflects a highly competitive international pork market, ongoing tariff complications, and subdued demand in key destinations.
• Irish primary poultry exports rebounded strongly in 2025, increasing by 18% to roughly €165 million. Egg exports, which represent a smaller share of this category, also recorded substantial growth during the year.

PREPARED CONSUMER FOODS (PCF)

• The Prepared Consumer Foods (PCF) sector faced challenges in 2025, navigating persistent inflation and changing consumer dynamics.
• Despite these obstacles, PCF exports rose by 9% to €3.6 billion, primarily driven by growth in chocolate confectionery, juices, carbonated beverages, and meal solutions, which grew by 28%, 10%, and 6% respectively.
• Value-added meat exports grew by 5% (€45 million) to reach €885 million in 2025, now accounting for 24% of total PCF exports. Challenging trading conditions for quick-service restaurants tempered growth in this sub-sector.
• Meal solutions exports grew by 6% to €745 million, 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 an 11% growth in volumes.
• Irish chocolate exports showed substantial value growth, rising by €90 million (+28%), while sugar confectionery exports outperformed global markets, increasing by 7% to €175 million.

DRINKS

• Drinks exports rose by 2% to €2 billion, driven by higher beer and cream liqueur exports.
• Despite this rise, the market for Irish drinks faced challenges, including tough trading conditions, persistent inventory issues, and slower depletion rates attributed to squeezed consumer spending. Exporters had to adapt to new trading conditions due to tariffs on goods entering the U.S., the largest single market for Irish drink exports.
• Irish whiskey, accounting for 45% of total drinks export value, saw a 5% decline to €930 million in 2025. Meanwhile, Irish cream liqueur exports grew by 10% to €430 million (up 20% since 2023), while Irish beer exports rose by 7% to an estimated €350 million. Ready-to-drink (RTD) spirits exports reached €220 million in 2025. Irish cider exports experienced a slight decline to just over €75 million, whereas Irish gin exports dropped by 14% as markets continued to rationalize the array of brands offered for sale.

SEAFOOD

• Seafood export volumes surged by 22% in 2025, offsetting lower prices for many species, resulting in a 9% increase in export value to €635 million. The performance was heavily influenced by higher volumes of pelagic species and salmon.
• The value of salmon exports was estimated at €110 million, marking a 7% year-on-year increase, supported by a 16% rise in volumes.
• Pelagic export volumes surged by 35%, helping to offset lower unit prices, with total pelagic exports valued at €175 million.
• Shellfish exports rose by 5% in value, while volumes increased by 2%. Although 2025 presented another challenging year in core European markets, performance in China was exceptionally strong, with exports of Irish shellfish nearly doubling in value due to robust demand across various species.
• Whitefish exports saw a marginal 2% increase in value to €50 million, while volumes remained broadly stable.
• Looking ahead, sustained pressure on input costs, logistics, and labor availability is expected to persist in 2026, likely making it another challenging year for the seafood sector.

HORTICULTURE AND CEREALS

• Horticulture and cereals exports saw a slight increase to €330 million in 2025.
• Mushroom exports to the UK, the primary market for Irish mushrooms, experienced a 4% volume decline, although higher prices helped offset this decrease and supported a marginal value increase to €155 million.
• Amenity exports remained steady at €20 million, buoyed by stable trade in foliage and plants, while daffodil exports recorded a small increase.
• The value of Irish cereal exports fell by 10% to €80 million, reflecting lower global commodity prices. Export volumes remained broadly flat, with record global production levels expected to sustain downward pressure on prices throughout the first half of 2026.