Ireland’s exports of food and beverages were valued at €17.3 billion, and imports were valued at just over €12 billion in 2024, giving a trade surplus in the sector of €5.3 billion.
Exports in the sector increased by €983 million (6%) on year 2023 and notably increased by €4.2 billion (32%) when compared with 2020. The United Kingdom is our largest export partner for food and beverages. In 2024, Ireland’s exports of food and beverages to the UK were valued at €6.5 billion while exports of food and beverages to the EU comprised almost €6.1 billion.
| €billion | UK | EU | RoW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 4.822113 | 3.262231 | 3.033548 |
| 2016 | 4.529528 | 3.440837 | 3.423967 |
| 2017 | 4.906107 | 3.961365 | 3.866605 |
| 2018 | 5.058362 | 4.123917 | 3.438547 |
| 2019 | 5.013201 | 4.424229 | 4.048165 |
| 2020 | 4.896433 | 4.249583 | 3.977081 |
| 2021 | 5.12963 | 4.464859 | 4.336975 |
| 2022 | 5.941383 | 5.864168 | 5.020996 |
| 2023 | 6.118334 | 5.647149 | 4.588748 |
| 2024 | 6.528348 | 6.062204 | 4.746588 |
Ireland’s imports of food and beverages increased by €694 million (6%) on year 2023 and increased by €3 billion (34%) when compared with 2020. Ireland’s imports of food and beverages from the EU in 2024 were valued at €4.8 billion and imports from the UK in the sector were marginally lower at €4.7 billion.
| €billion | UK | EU | RoW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3.631944 | 2.6261 | 1.21268 |
| 2016 | 3.585289 | 2.64969 | 1.279769 |
| 2017 | 3.958902 | 2.745756 | 1.293982 |
| 2018 | 4.209293 | 2.956381 | 1.53943 |
| 2019 | 4.305581 | 2.942234 | 1.496885 |
| 2020 | 4.307075 | 3.182289 | 1.501517 |
| 2021 | 3.502233 | 3.21604 | 1.740211 |
| 2022 | 4.115499 | 3.995701 | 2.539723 |
| 2023 | 4.398909 | 4.607554 | 2.350435 |
| 2024 | 4.699768 | 4.79043 | 2.560385 |
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