Irish Beef Demand Expected to Grow
IRELAND - Declining beef production in other European countries is expected to result in an increased demand for Irish beef.
13 October 2009
1 minute read
Irish beef production is expected to grow over the next few years, says Bord Bia, whilst beef production among other major European producers,including the UK and Germany, is set to decline by 500,000 tonnes (7 per cent).
These medium-term conditions will “create a more positive environment to further consolidate the market position of Irish beef in Europe, which now accounts for virtually all of our exports,” said Dan Browne, Bord Bia chairman.
He was speaking at the Anuga food and drink trade fair in Cologne, Germany, in which 11 Irish meat companies were taking part alongside competitors from Brazil and Argentina.
Bord Bia does not expect an increase in non-EU beef imports. Production in the main South American beef-exporting countries is expected to fall by 10 per cent over the next three years due to drought and increased cereal production.
Aidan Cotter, chief executive of Bord Bia has said that the value of EU beef sales has slowed down considerably this year “due to a combination of lower volumes, particularly at food service level, and a switch to cheaper cuts by consumers and food service operators.”
Bord Bia are working closely with Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture as well as Irish Embassies abroad to secure access in key markets to promote Irish beef and quantify its environmental performance.
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