Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2017
472. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which new markets are being located for Irish food exports in view of the need to replace losses arising from currency or Brexit-associated issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41941/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is of course an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agrifood sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry’s strategy for development over the coming decade. Indeed, this is all the more relevant after the UK’s decision to leave the EU, which presents significant new challenges for the agrifood sector in particular.
Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agrifood exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa and the Gulf region. This is where our efforts will be focused for the foreseeable future, particularly given the need to diversify our markets and to reduce our reliance on traditional destinations such as the UK.
In keeping with the priorities outlined in Food Wise 2025, I and Minister Doyle led trade missions to China, Singapore, Vietnam and South Korea in September 2016. In November, I also led a trade mission to Morocco, which was extended at senior official level to include Algeria. Earlier in 2016, senior officials with Bord Bia led a trade mission to Iran and travelled on to Turkey and met officials to discuss trade of live animals.
In February 2017, I also led a very successful Trade Mission to the Gulf Region. This covered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Most recently, in June of this year I led an extensive Trade Mission to the US and Mexico. Both markets offer many aspects that are very attractive to Irish exporters. The US is the largest food and beverage market in the world and has a population of 324 million people. Around 35 million Americans also claim Irish ancestry. Mexico has a population of 127 million, making it the eleventh-largest country in the world in population terms and the fifteenth-largest economy in the world, with projections that it will move into the top five by 2050.
My Department is currently making arrangements with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland for a forthcoming trade mission in November to Japan and South Korea. Again, this will include participants from across the agrifood sector and will feature extensive trade contacts as well as high-level political discussions. Both of these markets had been identified by my Department as offering huge potential to the Irish agrifood sector.
This and the other missions that my Department are planning for 2017 and early 2018 will serve to enhance and improve our existing levels of market access in these destinations. It will also promote Ireland's reputation as a producer of high quality, safe and sustainably produced meat and dairy products. My Department will continue to seek out and identify new markets and I am ready to respond as appropriate to other opportunities that may arise.
I also recently announced additional market access resources in my Department in order to further support its efforts to increase the Irish footprint globally.
