Trade, Imports and Exports

Agri-Food trade is vital to Ireland's economic health. Ireland is self sufficient in terms of the majority of agricultural commodities where the quantity produced significantly outweighs that which is required domestically. This context, along with our comparative and competitive advantage in terms of agri-production underpins Ireland's engagment in trade and our status as a major food-exporting nation. Irish exports of agricultural products accounted for 9.5% of total merchandising exports, and 11.2% of imports in 2019. The value of agri-food exports for 2019 totalled €14.5 billion up 6% on 2018 figures and up 63% on 2010 values. Approximately two thirds of exports go to high-value markets in the Uk and the EU, with the balance going to the rest of the world.

If you are an importer or exporter, explore the links below to discover the support you can get from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the regulations you have to follow.

Trade

• Beef factory prices (Beef Pricewatch app)
• Voluntary beef labelling scheme

Imports and exports

• Trade, imports and exports: fertilisers and limestone
• Import and export licensing
• Live animal imports (from outside the EU to Ireland)
• Brief guide to importing animal products from third countries
• Export certification contact points
• How to import plants and plant products
• Registration and procedures for export of plants and plant products
• Meat Policy - Third Country Markets