Export markets continue to offer the most opportunities for Irish food and drink firms, with more than half of companies reporting improvements in exports over the last year according to the Deloitte Food and Beverage Survey 2012.

Three out of four Irish food and drink companies experienced no improvement in the domestic market last year, the survey found.

Companies from the retail, consumer foods and manufacturing sectors were surveyed for the study which coincided with the Deloitte Food and Beverage Seminar in Dublin yesterday. Some 150 people representing up to 90 companies attended the seminar. Delegates said key challenges facing Irish businesses are the high cost of doing business in Ireland, weak consumer demand and consumer price sensitivity.

Bord Bia chief executive Aidan Cotter said the global landscape for food and agriculture had “never been so benign or more supportive” for the Irish food industry.