€37m worth of Irish food and drink exported every day
The total value of meat and livestock exports increased by 4% to €3.5 billion in 2021, which was a strong performance given the challenges of the year. Below the top-line growth, individual sectors experienced differing market trends, with strong demand and higher prices in beef and sheep meat, and a weaker market for poultry and pig meat. Meat and livestock exports were up 7% when compared to 2019.
Beef exports increased in value by 9% and were worth €2.1 billion during the year. This growth was underpinned by sustained strong demand and higher prices in the UK and EU markets. After a slow start in the first quarter, Irish exporters were able to work their way through the new trading realities with the UK, and volumes increased. The price environment was positive, due to a tightness of supply in the UK, and also in key EU markets.
The easing of Covid-19 related restrictions, particularly on the food service sector in the second half of the year helped generate strong demand. Ireland’s export values grew, despite an 11% year-on-year reduction in the volume of export. The strongest growth was to EU destinations which had a reduction in domestic beef availability.
The value of pig meat exports decreased by 3% to €542 million, as lower pricing in international markets affected the industry. Export volumes increased by 3% to 248,000 tonnes in 2021, and the pattern of trade was influenced by market developments in Asia and the UK during the year.
Shipments of Irish pig meat to Asia accounted for 67% of the total export value at €360 million, which is a 42% increase on 2020 levels. China is the main market for Irish pig meat, but due to a slowdown in demand there, most of last year’s growth was driven by other Asian markets such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.
Tighter global and EU supplies of sheep meat, combined with stronger demand helped generate an extremely positive market for Irish sheep meat in 2021. The value of sheep meat exports increased strongly for the second consecutive year, rising by 15% to €420 million.
This strong growth in value came despite a 9% drop in export volumes. Irish exporters benefited from reduced sheep meat exports from the UK into the EU and a decline in EU production. The reduced availability of imported sheep meat in the EU market had a positive impact on the demand and opportunities for Irish sheep meat. Lower export capacity in New Zealand, due to reduced production levels and a redirection of its product away from the EU meant there was less New Zealand lamb available in our key export markets.
Primary poultry exports fell by 15% to €128 million during 2021. This decline was due primarily to a fall in trade with the UK, which is Ireland’s major market for poultry. The value of poultry trade to the UK declined by 16% to €74 million last year, reflecting the sector’s high exposure to the foodservice market in the UK, which was significantly disrupted during the year.
European poultry exporters were negatively affected by market access restrictions last year, and progress around re-establishing these trading partnerships will be critical towards rebuilding export performance.
These developments were also reflected in overall EU poultry exports, which fell by 5% to 2.2 million tonnes in 2021. The principal markets that reduced import demand from EU suppliers included the Philippines, South Africa, Hong Kong, and the UK.
The value of Irish livestock exports increased by 6% to €214 million last year. Increased returns from live cattle exports helped to offset lower export values for both pigs and sheep.
The value of primary seafood exports returned to growth last year, increasing by 6% to €485 million, albeit with varying trends across the sector.
Pelagic exporters experienced a difficult 2021, with a cut to the mackerel quota as a result of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The value of pelagic exports for the year was down 1% to €169 million, helped by the strength of Asian markets. Shellfish exports were boosted by the reopening of foodservice channels in Europe and Asia during 2021. The value of shellfish exports increased by 25% to €165 million.
Freshwater seafood exports - the vast majority of which is salmon - had a challenging year, due to increased competition in certain markets. In overall terms, the value of exports declined by 8% to €98 million during 2021.
The whitefish export market was also challenging in 2021. Whitefish export values declined by about 15% to €40.6 million. Lower quotas for some whitefish species, greater consumption of whitefish on the domestic market, and difficult catching conditions all contributed to the overall reduction in 2021.
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