As EU beef consumption continues to rise and beef production falls, the Irish Food Board has said the industry here is well placed to take advantage of the improving markets.
Net beef production within the Union is set to increase by just under 3 per cent on corresponding 2001 levels to 7.45 million tonnes, while consumption is forecast to recover by more than 10 per cent to just under 7.3 million tonnes, according to figures issued by the board.
It has predicted a further modest improvement in consumption levels next year which are expected to increase by a further 2 per cent to more than 7.4 million tonnes while production is expected to remain relatively unchanged on 2002 levels.
An Bord Bia has targeted the huge French market, where consumption was forecast to increase by more than 8 per cent on year-earlier levels to more than 1.6 million tonnes.
According to the board, however, French imports are expected to increase at a low rate to 272,000 tonnes because the French, like other European countries, have a preference for home-produced beef.
This year, however, Ireland has gained a big advantage over other exporters to France because Irish beef, certified under An Bord Bia's beef quality assurance scheme, was the first non-French product to be awarded the prestigious Critères Qualités Certifiés product certification.
The CQC is a French logo which can be used on a product to denote that it conforms to certain specified quality characteristics.