Markets outside the EU are driving the growth in Ireland’s food and drink exports, according to data released today (14 January).

Exports rose 4% in 2014 to EUR10.5bn (US$12.4bn), Irish state agency Bord Bia said.

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The value of shipments to Asia were up 45%, with exports to China surging almost 40% to reach approximately EUR520m. China is now Ireland’s second-largest export market for dairy products, compared to 13th in 2008.

Export sales to North America rose 18% and to the Middle East grew 11%.

“The industry’s drive to broaden export reach to destinations outside of the EU is paying dividends with growth in emerging and international markets now driving export figures, offsetting the limited growth in our established premium EU markets,” said Aiden Cotter, chief executive of Bord Bia.

Ireland’s food and drink exports to the UK, its largest market, “showed little change” at EUR4.2bn, Bord Bia said.

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The value of exports to other EU countries grew by 2% to reach EUR3.3bn “reflecting largely static consumer price inflation across the Eurozone”, the agency added.

Overall, the strongest performing sectors were dairy, up 3% and prepared foods, up 8%.

Cotter said the prepared food sector during 2015 would face “competitive market environments,” however a number of key categories such as confectionery, ready meals and bakery are expected to record further growth.