Irish agri-food and drink export figures for 2016, released by Bord Bia, show a need for significant government investment, Food and Drink Industry Ireland said via a press release.
Director Paul Kelly pointed out that the FoodWise 2025 national agri-food strategy highlights market development as one of the essential activities for increasing growth.
He added, "Currency pressure[s] following the Brexit vote have already hit exports and jobs. These problems have the potential to get a lot worse in the event of a single-market fracture post-Brexit."
The release said that Ireland needs a strategy that will focus on market diversification and product innovation, maintain UK market share, ramp up exports to the EU and international markets, and sink more funds into product development.
The Ibec group said that the Irish government should set aside €25 million to build resources to support government departments and state agencies in rapid market access and market development, as well as in-market intelligence, promotion, and trade support.
It said that businesses should also be supported by state agencies, including help with the placement of marketing executives in international markets by food and drink businesses.
Finally, the group recommended that state-supported trade financing should be considered as part of a broader access-to-finance programme.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Karen Henderson. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
