The UK remained Ireland’s largest trading partner with almost 40pc (€4,804m) of total exports by value in 2016.
Figures from the Department’s Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and the Marine show that Irish agri-food exports went to over 160 countries in 2016 including new (or enhanced access) market opportunities for beef exports in USA, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. Pork and pork exports were introduced to the South African market.
The UK remains Ireland’s largest export customer, with almost 40pc of total agri-food and over 60pc of prepared consumer food (PCF) products exported to the UK in 2016.
Ireland’s top 20 trading countries accounted for almost 90pc of total trade for Irish exports in 2016. Trade among the Top 20 destinations increased by 1.4pc.
The biggest increase was recorded in Japan where exports increased by almost 50pc to €56m.
In 2016 total agri-food exports to the UK totalled €4,804m while imports were €3,730m with a trade surplus of €1,073m.
