agri-food industry booming

bamboozle

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/kfqlidmhmhmh/rss2/

positive reading in the above link.

agri-exports now over €9bn with growth of 14% in 2011.

The number of young people applying for agricultural colleges increased by 27% this year. That clearly says that a lot of people believe they can build meaningful careers in the agri-food sector. The challenge for us now is to ensure that we deliver on the sector’s huge promise.”


* THE agri-food sector in Ireland contributes a value of €24 billion to the national economy, generates 6.3% of gross value added and provides 7.4% of Irish employment. That rises to 10% when processing is included.

The sector employs 150,000 people. It includes about 600 food and drinks firms throughout the country that export to about 140 markets worldwide. The agri-food sector (including agriculture, food, drinks and tobacco) accounts for 8% of GDP, with primary agriculture accounting for 3% of GDP.

Agri-food exports are expected to grow from around €9bn now to €13bn by 2020, with an associated jobs lift on the processing side. The vast majority of new jobs will be with indigenous food companies, many of which are either owned by farmers or are tightly aligned to partners in farming.

Lantus

food will become the new currency in the next 20 to 50 years as the false economy of money finally starts to break down and we all need to revert to a more self sustainable lifestyle. The good news is ireland is in a good position to do this as we have good natural resources of land and water. If we can produce more agri skilled people it means more of the irish population have a good chance of surviving the inevitable world food shortages we will start to see in as little as 10 years time.

Icepick

Lantus wrote: »

food will become the new currency in the next 20 to 50 years as the false economy of money finally starts to break down and we all need to revert to a more self sustainable lifestyle. The good news is ireland is in a good position to do this as we have good natural resources of land and water. If we can produce more agri skilled people it means more of the irish population have a good chance of surviving the inevitable world food shortages we will start to see in as little as 10 years time.

Inevitable world food shortages?
There already are serious shortages in some parts of the world. But there is enough food produced already. Its distribution is the problem.

Voltex

My business is in this sector..and yes, our business has had its best year since going into business..BUT..the general econmoic mood means that most companies performing will not spend money, theres just too much uncertainty right now. What we're doing is banking cash and streghtening our balance sheet.

Agri-Food is one of the few things this country does very very well and it will with out doubt play a significant role in this country's future prospects.