Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 October 2018
164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of beef exported in each of the past three years to date; the extent to which this is likely to continue notwithstanding external factors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41721/18]
View answer165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of lamb exports over the past three years to various export markets; the extent to which he expects this to continue notwithstanding external market changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41722/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
I am firmly committed to increasing market access and opportunities for all Irish agri-food exports around the world. Total agri-food exports amounted to €13.6 billion in 2017, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) trade statistics, an increase of 74% since 2009.
CSO Trade statistics for beef and sheep meat exports 2015-2017 are detailed in the table:
|
- |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
€ 000 |
€ 000 |
€ 000 |
|
|
Beef |
2,209,065 |
2,267,383 |
2,406,834 |
|
Sheepmeat |
241,893 |
277,106 |
310,872 |
According to the CSO trade statistics, by the end of July 2018 beef exports were approx €1.4 billion, an increase of 4% in value terms compared to the same period in 2017. According to the CSO trade statistics, by the end of July 2018 sheepmeat exports were approx €180 million, an increase of 3% in value terms compared to the same period in 2017.
My officials continue to work towards opening and enhancing access to as many markets as possible. This is a key part of our response to the challenges and uncertainty posed by Brexit, and is in line with the market development theme of the Food Wise 2025 strategy. Opening new markets involves a wide range of detailed work taking place across a range of levels including political, diplomatic, technical and official levels.
I am delighted that already in 2018 the Chinese market has opened to Irish beef. Three Irish beef establishments were approved to export to China in April and a further three Irish beef establishments were approved in June following on from my Trade Mission to China in May. Beef access has been achieved as a result of huge effort by Team Ireland; Ministers, Departmental officials, the Irish Embassy in Beijing and agencies including Bord Bia over several years. Beef exports to China have now commenced. My Department has also recently agreed Veterinary Health Certificates for the export of beef, sheepmeat and poultry to both Kuwait and Qatar. These certificates apply for meat and meat products and are a result of a joined-up effort between my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in particular the Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, also accredited to Kuwait and Qatar.
I hope that these new markets will positively contribute towards another successful year for the Irish beef & sheepmeat industry and our exports. However, the role of the Department is to open up new markets and increase opportunities, while taking advantage of these new markets and availing of these new opportunities is a matter for the industry themselves.
I recently launched an online international market access information portal which provides information across some of the major agri-food export sectors of dairy, meat, seafood and live animals. The information provided includes certification arrangements, exporter terms and conditions, individual country trading statistics and the typical products exported to individual markets. This portal is a very valuable tool for our producers and exporters. As new markets are opened or certification conditions are changed, this will of course be reflected by the necessary changes to the web portal. The portal can be accessed at www.marketaccess.agriculture.gov.ie/.
