Continued growth in Northern Ireland food and drinks processing sector

DAERA Minister Michelle McIlveen has welcomed newly released figures highlighting the growth of the local food and drinks processing sector.

The figures were published in the annual report ‘Size and Performance of the NI Food and Drinks Processing Sector, Subsector Statistics 2014, with provisional estimates for 2015’.

The Minister said, “The food and drinks processing sector figures released today indicate continuing growth in the industry and that is welcome. As would be expected given the difficulties in key agri-food commodity markets, the rate of growth was lower than in previous years.

“However, this industry has shown resilience and entrepreneurship in the face of these challenges and continues to make a very important contribution to the wider manufacturing sector and regional economy.”

“The food sector has been, and continues to be, a real force within our economy and has potential for further growth. I will work closely with the Economy Minister and with the industry itself on our key priorities to deliver growth for the agri-food sector and benefits to the wider economy.

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“My Department is working hard to facilitate the export growth of our food sector. China is an export destination that has been developing and I want more opportunities to be realised in the months and years ahead.

Minister McIlveen added, “Officials continue to work with industry to prepare approval and maintenance inspections by potential and current trading partners across a range of commodities. I welcome the inward approval inspections that have recently been completed for pork exports to Australia and I look forward to the final report which is due before the end of 2016.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Aug 2 2016. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry