Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
462. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which turkey production here continues to meet the needs of home and export markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56239/23]
View answerThe poultry sector (meat and eggs), remains a critical part of the rural economy in many parts of the country, delivering around €700 million in output and supports over 5,000 jobs. Around 800 farms are involved in commercial poultry production in the Republic of Ireland. Turkey production makes up about 19% of this output. Poultry exports were valued at €350 million in 2022, this represents a 20% increase from 2018.
Central Statistic Office (CSO) stats shows that Ireland has exported fresh, frozen, chilled, live and prepared turkey at the following values and tonnage from 2019 to 2022:
• In 2019 15.3 tonnes to a value of €35.1M
• In 2020 7.4 tonnes to a value of €27.9M
• In 2021 6.9 tonnes to a value of €30.7M
• In 2022 9.4 tonnes to a value of €44.2m
• Poultry remains the most popular meat among Irish consumers, accounting for 75% of meat consumption growth since 2015 to reach around 45% market share, this has led to a decline in self-sufficiency. Despite this, the quantity of turkey imports has remained relatively stable:
• In 2019 13.5 tonnes were imported to a value of €54.2M
• In 2020 14.9 tonnes were imported to a value of €42.9M
• In 2021 15.5 tonnes were imported to a value of €59.8M
• In 2022 12.8 tonnes were imported to a value of €70.8M
One area in which my Department in, conjunction with Bord Bia and Animal Health Ireland, can help bolster the turkey industry is biosecurity.
Maintaining strong biosecurity at all times remains a core focus for the sector. This will involve the ongoing implementation of good practices guidelines, assessment against agreed criteria as part of Bord Bia’s Assurance Schemes and the ongoing rollout of the Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH) service by Animal Health Ireland.
This service, funded by my Department and delivered by Animal Health Ireland, supports the collective efforts to mitigate against incursions of avian influenza and to contribute to reducing the incidence of campylobacter. Supporting the further delivery of this service across turkey farms will be a priority for the poultry sector in 2023 and beyond.
