Food Harvest 2020
Interview with Aidan Cotter, CEO, Bord Bía
As chief executive of Ireland’s national food board,
Bord Bía, Aidan Cotter is a man charged with
the responsibility for promoting Ireland’s largest
indigenous sector - the food and drink industries.
Given that collectively, between farming, fishing
and processing, the agri-industry employs some
150,000 people and has an annual output of over
€24 billion, accounting for 65% of indigenous
manufacturing, the importance of his position
is clear.
“Bord Bía was established in 1994 to promote
and market the natural produce of Ireland
internationally and domestically”, explains the chief
executive, “the UK accounts for about 44% of our
export market, with the EU accounting for 30% and
the remaining 26% goes beyond EU borders. With
half a million tonnes per annum, we are the largest
net exporter of beef in the Northern Hemisphere.”
2010 was a successful year for the Irish food sector.
The food and drink industries proved to be key
export drivers, with sales increasing by 11% and
approaching €8 billion in total.
With international food markets showing
resilience throughout 2010, Ireland’s improved
competitiveness, reduced exchange rate pressures,
a stabilised consumer environment and rising
agricultural commodity prices were the factors that
combined to contribute to the positive growth of
this sector of Irish industry.
These positive developments have also led to an
increased air of optimism in the industry, with
over 70% of exporters surveyed classifying their
prospects for the year ahead as ‘good’ or ‘very good’.