Report on the Northern Ireland Food and Drinks Processing Sector 2021

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published the annual National Statistics the ‘Northern Ireland Food and Drinks Processing Report 2021’.

The report contains comprehensive data on the values of sales, value added, number of employees and destination of sales for each of the ten constituent subsectors of the food and drinks processing sector for 2020 and 2021. These key statistics are supplemented with fifteen performance indicators for each subsector. Provisional estimates of sales and employment are also provided for 2022.

This edition of the report, for the first time, contains experimental statistics on the value and origin of purchases of goods and services made by each of the ten constituent subsectors for processing.

In addition, a time-series of data covering the period 1989 – 2021 has been published on the DAERA website for each of the main variables. These will enable users to identify trends over time in variables of interest to them.

The report’s key findings are:

• The total gross turnover of the Northern Ireland food and drinks processing sector is estimated to have increased by 9.5% in 2021 to £5,950 million. Provisional estimates for 2022 project an 8.0% increase to £6,427 million.
• Between 2020 and 2021 the sector’s sales increased to all broad markets. Northern Ireland (+£180.3m) and Great Britain (+£162.0m) experienced the largest increases. Great Britain remains the sector’s largest market accounting for 47.4% of sales in 2021; a decrease from 48.9% in 2020.
• The food and drinks sector contributed 38.5% to total manufacturing sales in 2021; a decrease from 39.1% in 2020.
• In 2021, the estimated number of direct full-time employee equivalents (FTEs) in the sector increased by 0.6% to 25,116 FTEs. Provisional estimates for 2022 project a 1.5% increase to 25,497 FTEs.
• The sector’s contribution to total manufacturing employment was 30.1% in 2021; a decrease from 30.3% in 2020.
• The value added by the sector increased by 4.2% to £1,096 million between 2020 and 2021. This increase was driven by wages (+£50.0m) and depreciation (+£7.6m). Net profit (-£13.0m) decreased by 5.2% in the sector.
• Total purchases by the Northern Ireland food and drinks processing sector is estimated to have increased by 12.3% in 2021 to £4,678 million.
• Total purchases increased by the sector from all broad markets of origin. Northern Ireland (+£304.1m) and Great Britain (+£131.7m) experienced the largest increases. In 2021, Northern Ireland remains the sectors largest market for purchases at 65.7% of total purchases; a decrease from 66.5% in 2020.

Notes to editors: 

1. This statistical press release relates to the annual publication “Northern Ireland Food and Drinks Processing Report 2021”
2. The report, and time-series data from 1989 – 2021, may be downloaded from the DAERA website.
3. This is a National Statistics report.  National Statistics meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and public value. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.
4. Follow DAERA on Twitter and Facebook.
5. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or phone 02890 524619.
6. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

Share this page