BRUSSELS: The quantity of Irish sheepmeat exported to both Germany and Belgium posted increases during 2016, figures from Bord Bia show.
The Bord Bia Export Performance and Prospects 2016-2017 outlook and review states that these two countries, along with Sweden and Denmark, became key growth markets for Irish sheepmeat in 2016.
Shipments to Germany showed a rise of 9% to 4,000t valued at an estimated €24m, it says, driven by a growing demand for lamb among consumers particularly in ethnic channels.
In addition, export volumes of Irish lamb to Belgium increased by over 10% to just under 4,000t valued at €23m. This increase comes on the back of falling imports from New Zealand and the UK.