Bord Bia (BB), which is the Irish Food Board has released its Export Performance and Prospects Report for 2024/25, which has highlighted huge growth for Irish whiskey in Australia.
Exports to Australia increased by around 66 per cent, establishing us as the second most important market in the Asia-Pacific region. Whiskey exports to this market were valued at over €25m, (AU$41.6m).
In total Ireland’s global food, drink and horticulture exports grew by five per cent last year to a record €17bn, with global whiskey exports increasing by 13 per cent to a value of more than €1bn.
Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue said: “It is very encouraging that this annual analysis report from Bord Bia shows a hugely positive performance for the 2024 export value of Irish food and drink at €17bn.
“Add to this the value of non-edible products and Irish agri-food exports are in the region of €19bn, a figure approaching a five per cent increase on 2023. This is a significant achievement, given the prevailing impact of cost inflation and market volatility.
“Despite these ongoing challenges, the sector time and again proves its resilience. Our food companies, our farmers, fishers, and food and drink producers have, at each stage of the production cycle, contributed to the Agri-Food sector’s performance in 2024.
“I know they will continue to do so in the future, underpinned by the strategic insight, marketing and promotion support provided by Bord Bia.”
Other Irish drink exports include cream liqueur, which grew by five per cent and beer, which are now nine per cent ahead of 2022 levels at €325m.
Looking ahead the BB report said it expects the Australian market to continue to perform strongly in 2025, in line with the growth of recent years.