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Food Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2021

Thursday, 16 December 2021

Questions (615)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

615. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Irish food exports are being affected by similar products from other EU or third countries on the basis of trends since January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62454/21]

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Written answers

On examination of Central Statistics Office data for January - August 2021, I am pleased to report that despite challenging circumstances, our agri-food exports worldwide are up €533m/5.8% on the same 2020 period and up €199m/2.1% compared to 2019. Exports to the UK are also up for the first eight months of 2021 - €306m/9.5% compared to 2020 and up €16m/0.4% compared to 2019. When we examine Great Britain and Northern Ireland individually, we can note that exports to GB are to the end of August up €34m/1.3% compared to down 20% at end of Q1 2021. Exports to NI continue to be strong, up 39%/€272m compared to 2020. This compares even more favorably than Q1 2021 where exports to Northern Ireland were up 19%.

These figures demonstrate no loss of market share and display the remarkable resilience of the Irish food and drink sectors particularly in the face of market disruptions such as Brexit and Covid. My Department and its agencies will continue to remain focused on maximising the value of Irish agri-food exports globally in particular supporting continued diversification into EU and third country markets. A key component of this strategy has been our Trade Mission agenda and key customer engagements. In 2021, these engagements were held virtually and focused on Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, China, Singapore, and West Africa, as well as on our traditional markets in the EU, UK, and US. For 2022, a schedule of extensive in-person Trade Missions to several key priority markets is planned.

My Department also continues to work on the opportunities provided by recent EU Free Trade Agreements with third countries, and to press at Government-to-Government level for the removal of technical market access barriers across a range of third country markets.

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