The world eats Irish food

Dublin- Countries around the world are buying Irish food and drink in a big way. Exports last year were worth €8.6bn, up by 5%. The food industry is the largest indigenous industry in Ireland, and it continues to grow.
Sales to Asia were exceptionally high last year, growing 50%. China in particular bought lots of Irish dairy products - the highest growth in dairy sales was in Asia. Bord Bia says the industry is well positioned to continue exploiting developing markets in countries such as China and the Philippines. Exports of drink last year were worth €1.4bn, up 5% on 2006. Beef is one notable area where sales are down. Beef sales were down 3% last year to €2.3bn. But industry experts say prospects for 2008 are better