Dairy and meat exports helped drive the rising sales of Irish food exports in 2025, data from trade body Bord Bia shows.
The total value of Irish food, drink and horticulture exports was up 12% in 2025, at €19bn ($22.21bn), according to the group's latest exports value report.
Bord Bia said the result was a "milestone performance" in "one of the most volatile trading environments in recent years".
Exports of meat and livestock were up 18% in value at over €5bn, attributed to price increases in beef and live exports, as limited supplies of cattle in Ireland and other key markets brought about a hike in beef prices and lower export volumes.
Dairy export value reached €7.3bn, an increase of 14%, helped by "improved" prices for dairy in the first half of 2025 and "strong grass-growing season" which increased milk production, Bord Bia said. Dairy export volumes were up 12% in the year, with butter and cheese making up the largest part of growth.
The value of seafood export sales was also up 9% at €635m. The sector saw volumes surge 22% which "offset weaker returns for many species". Seafood, however, has "increased challenges ahead", Bord Bia said, "as quotas look set to be significantly reduced for some species".
Despite a "challenging year" with "persistent inflation and evolving consumer dynamics", sales of prepared consumer foods exports grew 9% to €3.6bn, according to Bord Bia's report.
The increase was helped by "strong performance" in chocolate, confectionery, juices, carbonated drinks and meal solutions and a 10% growth in exports to the UK, the trade body said.
Exports of Irish chocolate were up 28% in value terms to €90m, while the value of sugar confectionery exports increased 7% to €175m.
Value-added meat exports, which now make up 24% of exports of prepared consumer foods also grew 5% at €885m in 2025. "Challenging trading conditions for quick service restaurants contributed to the tempering of growth in this sub sector", Bord Bia said.
In contrast with other food sectors the value of Irish bakery exports stayed flat in 2025 at €330m. Bord Bia said in its report bread exporters were continuing to focus on "value-added" products for the UK, as they face "an increasingly price-sensitive market".
Commenting on the latest findings, Bord Bia CEO Jim O'Toole said: “2025 can be described as one of the most volatile years our sector has experienced in recent memory. Yet, against this backdrop, the Irish food, drink and horticulture industry reached a record €19bn in exports, demonstrating its ability to continue building value even in turbulent conditions.
"By investing in strategic insight, sustainability and trusted customer relationships, the sector is moving beyond volume-led growth and positioning itself to deliver greater value in global markets. This progress has been achieved despite ongoing volatility across trade, consumer sentiment and climate conditions, which shows little sign of easing.”
