This study aims to scrutinize the extent of the repercussions of Brexit coupled with the compounded effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Irish cheese sector, a segment profoundly intertwined with the UK market. The investigation sheds light on the challenges and upheavals faced by the sector amidst a time of political and health crises, with a particular focus on the immediate responses and adaptations of the stakeholders in this sector.
In 2016, a majority of British citizens, through a referendum, decided to exit the EU single market — a move prophesied by many as a "lose-lose" situation for both the EU and the United Kingdom (UK). Especially impacted is the Republic of Ireland, which remained in the EU, owing to its historical connections, geographical proximity, and significant economic exposure to the UK market.
This study narrows down its focus on the Irish cheese sector, which heavily relies on the UK market, being the primary export market for products such as cheese. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey methodology, quantitative data were gathered from stakeholders in the Irish cheese sector to pinpoint the impacts of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic on the market. An online questionnaire was disseminated to 15 respondents to garner deeper insights into the current market landscape.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2 : LITERATURE REVIEW
CHAPTER 3 : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
CHAPTER 4 : RESEARCH FINDINGS
CHAPTER 5 : DISCUSSON AND ANALYSIS
CHAPTER 6 : CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Research Aim and Scope
This research investigates the multifaceted impact of Brexit, further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, on the Irish cheese sector. It aims to assess the challenges faced by industry players regarding market access, supply chain stability, and economic performance, while evaluating the mitigation strategies employed by companies to maintain competitiveness.
- Impact of Brexit and COVID-19 on Irish cheese export supply chains.
- Analysis of economic vulnerabilities within the Irish agri-food industry.
- Evaluation of firm-level strategies for supply chain reconfiguration and market diversification.
- Assessment of the role of trade policy and customs requirements on export competitiveness.
- Resilience patterns of Irish dairy exporters in the face of shifting trade relations with the UK.
Excerpt from the Book
4.7 Remodeling of Supply Chain and Logistics
Based on the results on the Likert scale, it was determined that majority of respondents (60%) agreed that their firms had remodeled or were planning to remodel their supply chains and logistics due to Brexit. Another 13.3% strongly agreed, 20% disagreed, and the others strongly disagreed (figure 4.7)
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION: Provides the background information, research context, and objectives regarding the economic threats posed by Brexit to the Irish food and cheese sectors.
CHAPTER 2 : LITERATURE REVIEW: Maps existing knowledge on the relationship between Ireland and the UK, focusing on trade vulnerabilities within the dairy and food supply chains.
CHAPTER 3 : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Discusses the positivist, quantitative, and deductive research design used to collect and analyze data via questionnaires from industry stakeholders.
CHAPTER 4 : RESEARCH FINDINGS: Presents the quantitative data gathered from dairy firm respondents regarding the impacts of Brexit and COVID-19 on their business operations.
CHAPTER 5 : DISCUSSON AND ANALYSIS: Offers a critical evaluation of the research findings, analyzing the implications of Brexit on business models, supply chains, and sales performance.
CHAPTER 6 : CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Synthesizes the core findings and provides strategic business and policy recommendations for the Irish dairy sector to improve resilience and competitiveness.
Keywords
Brexit, COVID-19, Irish cheese sector, supply chains, dairy industry, export trade, market diversification, economic impact, resilience, business model, logistical challenges, customs tariffs, trade policy, innovation, food industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research fundamentally examines the economic consequences of Brexit, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically for the Irish cheese sector and its export-oriented supply chains.
What are the central themes addressed in this study?
The core themes include the vulnerability of Irish agri-food exports to the UK market, supply chain disruptions, the role of Brexit-related trade barriers, and the resilience strategies adopted by Irish firms.
What is the primary goal of the study?
The primary aim is to evaluate how Brexit politics and pandemic-related logistics issues affect the actual cheese economy between Ireland and the UK and to identify effective enterprise-level responses.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The study utilizes a quantitative, deductive methodology involving a descriptive survey approach based on online questionnaires administered to 15 key industry stakeholders.
What topics are covered in the main section of the study?
The main sections cover the background of the study, existing literature on UK-Ireland trade, detailed research methodology, quantitative findings on business impact, and a critical analysis of industry mitigation strategies.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Brexit, COVID-19, Irish cheese sector, supply chains, dairy industry, export trade, market diversification, and economic impact.
How has Brexit specifically affected Irish dairy logistics?
Brexit has increased supply chain complexity due to stricter customs regulations and potential border bottlenecks, forcing companies to move away from the traditional UK land bridge for exporting to continental Europe.
What role does the COVID-19 pandemic play in the context of this study?
COVID-19 acts as a compounding factor, disrupting global market access and causing commodity price volatility, which, when combined with Brexit, creates a "double economic blow" for the Irish dairy industry.
What specific mitigation strategies are recommended in the study?
The study recommends diversification of markets (beyond the UK), investment in innovative products, the development of direct continental shipping routes, and the utilization of technological applications like AI and Big Data.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2021, Brexit and COVID-19. Unveiling the Dual Stressors on the Irish Cheese Sector, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1392973
