Enterprise Ireland
Annual Report and Accounts 2004
Annual Report and Accounts 2004
Irish companies delivered a good export performance in 2004, following the global economic growth revival that began in the latter part of 2003. New export sales from Enterprise Ireland clients improved, reaching €10.167 billion, a rise of 5.6% on 2003. The largest exports sector was food and consumer retail sector which totalled €6.78 billion, a growth of 4.1%. The largest growing sector was software, services and emerging sectors which increased 10.4% to €1.2 billion. Industrial and lifesciences products grew 3.8% to €1.9 billion.
Overall, clients with Enterprise Ireland support won 863 new customers, distributors or partners in export markets in 2004, mostly in Northern Europe and Asia. In addition, 154 Enterprise Ireland client companies established an overseas market presence during the year and 177 companies entered new export markets.
Northern Europe continues to be the largest export market. Exports to Northern Europe increased by 7.2% to €6.0 billion. Food and consumer retail markets continues to be the biggest export sector with €4.2 billion, an increase of 5.8%. Sub-sectors that performed particularly well include primary meats which increased exports by 12.6% and engineering which showed strong growth at 9.6%. The UK remained the single best export market for our clients overall and the largest within the territory of Northern Europe. On its own, the UK accounted for €4.63 billion in exports, an increase of 6.3%. Dairy and drinks was the largest sub-sector in the UK with €1.5 billion in exports. The largest growth was in digital media, e-Learning and education, which grew 23.5% to €56.6 million. A total of 47 companies established a new marketing presence in Northern European markets and 299 appointed new customers, distributors or partners.
Exports to the Americas increased slightly by 1% to €1.1 billion. Food and consumer retail remained the largest sector with €472 million and in particular, its consumer foods sub-sector showed particularly strong growth, rising 52.2% to €9.1 million. Software, services and emerging sectors rose 14.6% to €398.3 million. Twenty-one companies established an overseas presence in the market and 120 customers, distributors or partnerships were secured. Fifty-seven clients exported to the Americas for the first time of which 35 were new to exporting.
Exports to Southern Europe, the Middle East and Africa rose 7.7% to €940.6 million. The largest sector exporting to the region was again food and consumer retail with €677.9 million. The largest growth area was industrial products which rose 14.6% to €103.2 million with particular strong growth of 34.1% by the construction and timber sub-sector. A total of 75 new customers, distributors or partnerships were appointed and 15 clients established a presence in the market. Twenty clients also began exporting to the region.
Exports to Germany, Central/Eastern Europe and the Balkans fell slightly by 3.7% to €705.6 million. In particular, exports of electronics and consumer foods fell 39.9% and 38.3% respectively. The best performing sub-sector was dairy and drinks which rose 11.7% to €234.9 million. Excellent growth was seen in both construction and timber and lifesciences and chemicals which rose 47.8% and 27.3% to €44.6 million and €32.6 million respectively. Twenty clients exported to the region for the first time and 134 secured new customers, distributors or partners in the market.
Asia showed the largest growth in exports at 19.6%, bringing total exports to the region to €501.5 million. Food and consumer retail was again the largest sector at €222.7 million, a growth of 8.8%. Exports of industrial products rose 50.5% to €100.3 million with electronics, engineering and lifesciences and chemicals performing very strongly. In total, 28 client companies chose Asia for their new export markets, reflecting the growing strength and potential of the region in world trade. A total of 235 companies secured new customers, distributors and partners in the region.