Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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236. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the countries to which Ireland exported food and drinks products in 2016 and 2017; the volume and value of the exports, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2650/18]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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237. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the countries from which food and drinks products were imported in 2016 and 2017; the volume and value of these imports, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2651/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together.

Irish agri-food exports and imports are broken down into 24 categories identified and agreed by my Department and the Central Statistics Office.  Products and Raw goods are categorised using combined nomenclature codes, a European harmonised system used to classify goods for customs and trade purposes.  These categories include items such as Forestry and Animal Hides and Skins, along with traditional Food and Beverage products.

Total agri-food sector imports for 2016 came to €8.17 billion from over 180 destinations worldwide.

Full year figures for 2017 are not yet available, however statistics from January – November indicate total agri-food imports for the period of €7.92 billion from over 180 destinations.

Total exports for 2016 came to €12.19 billion an increase of 1.8% from the previous year, and to over 180 destinations worldwide.

While full year figures are not yet available from the Central Statistics Office, returns indicate that exports for January – November 2017 totalled €12.4 billion.

The following tables provide a full breakdown of import and export destinations in respect of both value and volume of goods based on CSO data.

Total agri-food exports are estimated to reach €13.5 billion in 2017 when non-edible products such as forestry are included.  Bord Bia's performance and prospects report provides valuable insights into the sectors and markets behind a 13% increase in the value of food and drink exports to €12.6 billion in 2017.

Further information in respect of Irish agri-food trade can be found in Chapter 4 of my Department's Annual Review and Outlook, 2016 - 2017.