Neale Richmond
Question:1145. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a full report on exports to Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1299/21]
View answerWednesday, 13 January 2021
Questions (1145)
Written answers
According to the latest full-year data from the Central Statistics Office, Irish agri-food exports to Canada amounted to €118m in 2019. This was an increase on the figure of €108m recorded in respect of 2018, and makes Canada our seventh most important non-EU destination, and seventeenth overall. The key commodities exported were beverages (€77 million), dairy produce (€14.7 million), pigmeat (€2.3 million) and sheepmeat (€6.7 million).
The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada, which has provisionally been in force since 21 September 2017, is providing further opportunities for growth in Irish agri-food exports to Canada. CETA gives the EU improved access to the Canadian market for important European export products, including cheese, wine and spirits, fruit and vegetables, and processed products.
The beverages sector is the major driver of Irish exports. Canada is now our third most important destination outside Europe, and fifth overall. In 2019, Canada imported €21 million of Irish Whiskey and €44m of Irish Cream exports, making it the second largest export market for Irish Cream. In addition, the fact that Canada is one of the countries where we have market access for beef, sheepmeat and pigmeat provides potential for further growth into the future.