Vol. 521 No. 6
84 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of overseas locations to which pork and other pigmeat products have been exported over the past four years; the number of new markets gained or lost in that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17857/00]
Irish pork and bacon is exported to around 60 countries within the EU and worldwide. The major EU markets include the UK, Germany, Italy and France. The opening up of the Swedish market in 1998-99 represented an important step in the development of this business. Approximately 10% of total pork production is to third countries.
With the implementation of WTO Irish exporters have increased access to a number of new non-EU markets, especially in the Far East. In 1999 exports to the Japanese market increased and it is likely that there will be a further increase in 2000. In this region, the principal new markets are South Korea, China and the Philippines. In 1999 Ireland's exports to Russia increased considerably following the collapse of that market in 1998. No markets have been lost by Irish exporters in that period.
