Exports of Irish food and drink reached record levels last year. Bord Bia says the value of sales abroad went up by 12% to almost €9 billion in what it describes as an "excellent achievement" by the industry.

Despite the recession, the food and drinks industry remains one of the best performers in the Irish economy. Growth in volume accounted for a quarter of last year's rise.

The performance was helped by strong global prices, a tentative return to price inflation in some European countries, and reduced volatility in exchange rates.

The best performing categories were dairy, meat, prepared foods and seafood.

Bord Bia says the outlook for this year remains positive, although there may be more limited growth potential in the short term.

The chairman of Bord Bia, Michael Carey, says the industry remains at the heart of the Irish economy.

Meanwhile a Bord Bia survey indicates increased optimism among food and drink manufacturers, with 85% of exporters seeing their prospects for this year as good or very good.