Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
548. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of new markets identified for Irish food exporters in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31840/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe past three years has seen great strides taken in the opening of new markets and the deepening of trade for existing markets for Irish Agri food exporters.
In 2015 we gained access to the US market for Irish beef. During the same year we also got access to the Canadian market for Irish beef and to the Omani market for Irish beef and sheepmeat.
In 2016 we gained access to the Maldives for beef, sheepmeat, pigmeat and poultrymeat. We also gained access to the Iranian market for sheepmeat and we regained access to the Israeli market for beef.
In 2017, the market in Egypt was re-opened to exports of beef from Ireland and we got access to the Chilean market for Irish pork.
In April 2018, the Chinese authorities opened their market to Irish beef imports by listing a number of approved Irish beef establishments, and in July an agreement was reached with Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health which will allow for the importation into Qatar of Irish beef, sheepmeat and poultry.
On the dairy front, Ireland exported over €4.5bn in dairy products to nearly 130 countries in 2017. Against the backdrop of EU agreed trade deals such as those completed with Canada, Japan and Mexico, which will obviously have benefit for the sector, my Department continues to prioritise efforts to gain access to new third country markets and, equally importantly, to deepen existing markets for Irish dairy products.
We have also had success with exports to emerging markets. The value of exports to Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Central/South America stood at almost €2.8 billion in 2017. The value of trade to these markets increased by 159% since 2009. These markets now account for over 20% of total agri-food exports.
Growth to emerging markets has been led by Asia, with exports of €1.6 billion in 2017, of which around €1 billion went to China. Exports to other Asian markets grew by 85% since 2012 to €659 million in 2017. Trade to Africa has also grown to €606 million, while exports to the Middle East have also grown significantly, to reach €370 million.
The 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 agri-food sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry’s strategy for development over the coming decade. Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agri-food exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa, the Americas 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.
