Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the current projections for agri-exports here in view of the fact the annual report of his Department showed them to have increased 11% from 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12577/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The increase of 11% in agri-food exports in 2010 evidenced the central role the sector can play in this country's economic regeneration and it is our aim that this growth be continued in the coming years. Indeed, the Food Harvest 2020 report sets an export target of €12 billion for the sector by 2020, a 42% increase on the average export figures in the years 2007-2009.

Bord Bia, in its Performance and Prospects 2010-2011, indicates that in 2011 "the prospects for Irish food and drink exports remain positive, helped by strong global demand for commodity products and a relatively tight supply situation in a number of key categories", adding, crucially, that "growth in global demand is set to underpin food markets well into the future". It is to be hoped that exchange rate movements remain favourable throughout the year, especially with regard to Sterling and the US Dollar, thereby allowing Ireland to reap the maximum return from strong global demand in 2011.

The data already available for 2011, though limited, provides welcome evidence that export growth in the sector will indeed continue this year. In fact, CSO figures for January 2011 show exports of Food, Beverages and Live Animals increasing 18% on the same month last year.