Irish agri-food exports to UK rise by 11% as sector reaches record high
Irish agri-food exports to the United Kingdom were up by 11% in 2025, according to the Government.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced the publication of the Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2025-2026.
The report found that agri-food exports achieved an increase of €1.8 billion year on year, and around a 70% increase since 2015.
Agri-food exports reached over 180 countries around the world; this accounted for 8% of Irish goods exported.
Dairy continued to be the largest agri-food export; its value exceeded €7 billion for the first time, accounting for 34% of all agri-food exports.
The UK accounted for 39% of total Irish agri-food exports, making it our largest trading partner; this was followed by the Netherlands at €2 billion and the US at €1.9 billion.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, said: “I am delighted to present the Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2025 - 2026, the flagship economic publication of my Department. The Annual Review and Outlook provides an overview of developments in the agri-food sector during 2025 and into 2026, drawing on a diverse range of sources to bring together statistics, findings and analysis which capture the diversity and scale of activities and achievements in the sector.
“The agri-food sector – including primary production in farming, fishing and forestry, and the processing and manufacture of food, beverages and wood products – is Ireland’s oldest and largest indigenous exporting sector. In 2025, Irish agri-food exports achieved a record high of almost €21 billion, comprising 8% of all goods exported from Ireland. Irish agri-food exports enjoy a deserved global reputation for excellence, which is reflected in these record figures, and I am pleased that the trend for 2026 to date is also positive. This significant domestic economic footprint, including its export profile, reflects the natural comparative advantages of Irish agri-food production, including our long agricultural tradition and our global reputation for high-quality, safe and nutritious produce.”