The global agri-food market has been extremely volatile in recent times, with much uncertainty caused by, firstly, Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, by the impacts on supply chains and the international trading system arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Despite this challenging backdrop, our agri-food sector's resilience and success in developing new markets and innovative product solutions has been noteworthy. In 2021, our exports to over 180 countries were €15.4 billion, up over €1 billion, or 7%, on 2020. Dairy exports were valued at over €5 billion for the third year in a row. Beef, our second largest agri-food export, is up in value at €2.4 billion. The strongest growth areas were for beverages, which grew by 20%, and pigmeat, where exports were up more than 10%.
My focus remains very firmly on supporting the agri-food sector to maximise exports in order to support everyone in the sector especially our farm families. This means supporting our existing and potential future UK trade, as well as further diversification in EU and third country markets. Bord Bia, with my Department's funding, continues to support companies establishing and expanding their presence in these high-value international markets.
Minister of State Martin Heydon and I have also re-commenced critical engagements overseas, with in-person Trade Missions to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the US and Mexico to date in 2022. These visits included Government-to-Government discussions and engagements with key Irish customers in these markets. Our intensified programme of trade missions for 2022 also includes plans for visits to Germany, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam before the year end.
I remain fully committed to supporting the agri-food sector's growth ambitions. Despite the geopolitical challenges we have faced in recent years - and continue to face - the sector is continuing to grow its exports around the world which is a credit to its resilience and adaptability.
