UFU Deputy President William Irvine on his County Armagh farm. Picture: Cliff Donaldson
The Ulster Farmers’ Union welcomes new DAERA figures showing continued growth in Northern Ireland’s food and drink processing sector, calling it a positive step for the agri-food industry.
The annual ‘Northern Ireland Food and Drinks Processing Report’ published by DAERA, shows the sector’s turnover rose by 11% from 2021 to 2022, reaching £6.5 billion. Early estimates for 2023 point to a further 9.4% increase, bringing the sector’s value to over £7.1 billion.
UFU president William Irvine said, “The NI Food and Drink report is a positive snapshot of one of our most important industries. It highlights the strength of our food and drink sector, the vital role local family farms and agri-food businesses play in supporting it, and the opportunity for growth in the agri-food industry.”
The report shows strong sales in four out of five key markets. Great Britain is still the biggest buyer, making up 48.5% of all sales, with over £330 million in growth in 2022. Local sourcing in NI also saw a big boost, rising by £263.7 million.
“It’s great to see NI producers remaining central to the supply chain and shows real confidence in the quality of our food. Despite challenges like inflation, labour shortages and global uncertainty, the sector continues to adapt and perform well, which is a credit to everyone from farm to factory.
“In 2022, the sector supported over 25,000 full-time equivalent jobs, highlighting its key role as a major employer. While a slight dip is expected in 2023, we’re confident ongoing growth will balance it out.
“As we move through 2025, we’re seeing signs of steadying input costs and better market conditions. We expect another strong year for food and drink processing in NI, and the UFU will keep working with DAERA and industry partners to ensure our primary producers get the recognition and support they deserve,” said Mr Irvine.
