Northern Ireland’s food and drink sector has continued to grow despite facing headwinds from Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and soaring inflationary pressures.
Latest data from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) showed food and drink processing companies increased sales by 0.9% to £5,424 million in 2020, while provisional estimates suggest a jump of 6.4% in 2021. Of note is the latter move, given it was recorded just after the new trade rules came into force under the Northern Ireland protocol, suggesting the sector managed to outperform under the new regime.
The figures back suggestions the protocol offers companies based in Northern Ireland an advantage by giving them access to export both to Great Britain and to the European Union. Food and drink processors in Northern Ireland are also thought to have benefited from the fact there is more red tape and costs for GB companies exporting to the province.
