Commodity prices drove a 12% rise in Irish food and drink exports in 2011, according to the country’s manufacturing association.

Export revenues for 2011 are expected to reach EUR8.9bn (US$11.53bn), although official figures have yet to be announced, Paul Kelly, director for Food and Drink Industry Ireland, told just-food today (4 January).

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Kelly said “a strong commodity price environment” had helped Ireland’s food and drink exporters. He pointed to the UN’s Food and Agriculture (FAO) food price index, which he said was 17% higher in 2011 than the 2010 average.

However, Kelly said export volumes had grown across a number of sectors. “It is estimated volume growth across a number of categories including dairy products, pigmeat, alcohol, confectionery, sauces/soups and mushrooms will account for up to 30% of the total growth in exports,” he said.

Ireland’s dairy and meat sectors had led the growth in overseas sales, Kelly added.

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“All major categories are expected to show growth this year, led by dairy and meat, which combined account for more than 60% of total food and drink exports,” he said.

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Ireland’s food sector had, Kelly explained, been “a tale of two markets” in 2011 with growth in export markets offsetting challenging conditions at home. “This is unlikely to change in 2012,” he added.